Research highlights from the literature

Ganglionic nicotinergic acetylcholine receptors have a central role in autonomic neurotransmission. A recent study suggested that a transcription factor called paired-like homeobox 2a or Phox2a regulates the expression of the alpha-3 subunit of the ganglionic nicotinergic acetylcholine receptor. The possibility that Phox2a or other mechanisms regulating ganglionic transmission contribute to human autonomic disease deserve further studies. Another study tested mechanisms contributing to impaired adenosine mediated vasodilation of myocardial blood vessels in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus. The previously suggested idea that the impairment may result from imbalance between nitric oxide mediated vasodilation and adrenergic vasoconstriction could not be confirmed. A third study suggests that certain scents may evoke physiological responses in animals through the autonomic nervous system. The response appears to involve the suprachiasmatic nucleus