Heart’s ‘Mini-Brain’ Discovered: New Insights into Cardiac Function

Recent research from Karolinska Institutet and Columbia University reveals that the heart possesses its own complex nervous system, referred to as a “mini-brain,” which regulates its heartbeat independently of the brain, Earth.com revealed yesterday.

This discovery challenges the long-held belief that the heart’s functions are solely controlled by the autonomic nervous system.

Researchers studied zebrafish, whose heart functions closely resemble those of humans, uncovering various types of neurons within the heart, including pacemaker neurons that help control rhythm. This finding may lead to new treatment approaches for heart conditions like arrhythmias.

Principal researcher Konstantinos Ampatzis emphasized the importance of understanding how this mini-brain interacts with the brain under different conditions, such as stress and exercise. The study, published in Nature Communications, could pave the way for novel therapeutic targets and improve treatments for both heart and related mental health conditions.