Relationship of Nervous System and Its Effectors in Health, Aging and Disease

Dear Colleagues,

The brain controls other internal organs to regulate responses in the ever-changing ambient environment. This action might be modulated by the input of information to the brain from external and internal sensors. However, there are considerable gaps in current knowledge on the underlying mechanisms of many phenomena related to the brain–effector relationship. Brain–heart interactions during stroke, followed by a cardiovascular complication and etiology of some cardiac arrhythmias, are not yet fully understood. Despite extensive research on the interaction between gut microbiota and the brain in the recent years, the mechanism underlying the gut–brain axis is yet to be effectively described. What might be truly helpful is the overview of the multi-organ cross-talk between the brain and other organs, including many brain–peripheral organ relationships, into one unifying description. In addition, the aging process seems to have a pleiotropic effect on human physiology; therefore, research on the influence of aging might be crucial in painting a full picture of the dynamics of these relationships. 

For this research topic, we aim to explore the current research of physiological mechanisms underlying the relationship between the brain and other organs using two approaches: examining its dynamics in response to aging and its applicability in a clinical setting. Since no single study can reveal all aspects related to this topic, our knowledge should be gradually developed using many different approaches based on high-quality scientific research.

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this research topic, all types of research (descriptive, correlational, causal-comparative/quasi-experimental, and experimental research) are welcome. This Special Issue welcomes a wide range of manuscript types: original research; reviews; meta-analyses; policy and practice reviews; hypothesis and theory; perspectives; clinical trials; case reports; community case studies; conceptual analyses; data reports; policy briefs; brief research reports; general commentaries; and opinions. 

Topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Neural factors in etiology of hypertension.
• Acute and long-term effects of caffeine, ethanol, nicotine and other frequently ingested drugs on blood pressure regulation. 
• Role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in orthostatic hypotension. Current perspectives and treatment.
• Effects of aging on ANS and CNS function and its implications in the development of systemic disorders: hypertension; diabetes type II; cardiac arrhythmias and others.
• Interaction between adipokines, myokines and the nervous system in health and disease.
• Role of adipokines in the etiology of hypertension.
• Effects of transcranial brain stimulation on autonomic nervous system (ANS) parameters.
• Relationship between brain/cognitive activity and ANS function.
• Influence of brain/mind/cognitive-based therapy on ANS activity in healthy participants.
• Influence of breathing techniques on central autonomic networks and ANS.
• Cooccurrence of peripheral disorders: cardiovascular, metabolic, polycystic ovary syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome with brain/psychiatric diseases. 
• Effects of treatment of peripheral disorders on brain function/co-existing psychiatric symptoms.
• Effects of diet on brain and effects of neural control in diet-related behavior: comfort food and soul food. Physiology and therapeutic implications.
• Machine learning/artificial intelligence applications in the exploration of nervous system functioning.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Prof. Dr. Pawel Zalewski
Dr. Sławomir Kujawski
Dr. Joanna Slomko
Dr. Agnieszka Kujawska
Guest Editors

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• brain
• autonomic nervous system
• central autonomic network
• heart rate variability
• blood pressure
• complementary medicine
• alternative medicine
• talking therapies
• psychotherapy
• mind&ndash
• body connection
• neurovisceral integration
• polyvagal theory