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Abstract
The vagus nerve plays a crucial role in regulating heart rate, gastrointestinal function, and neuropsychiatric health.
- It integrates with sympathetic pathways to regulate heart rate and conduction in the cardiovascular system.
- The vagus nerve coordinates gastrointestinal motility, secretion, and metabolic balance through specific nutrient- and hormone-sensitive pathways.
- Emerging evidence suggests it is involved in rapid signaling and modulation influenced by gut microbiota.
- Vagus nerve stimulation may offer a therapeutic approach for restoring autonomic balance, though challenges exist regarding fiber selectivity and variability in clinical responses.
- Current research is uncovering the molecular diversity of vagal neurons, although gaps remain due to limited anatomical data in humans.
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