Studying the pathophysiologic connection between cardiovascular and nervous systems using stem cells.

Coskun, V. and Lombardo, D. M. (2016), J. Neurosci. Res.. doi: 10.1002/jnr.23924

Analysis of the hearts of patients with FA shows detectable iron accumulation, supporting the idea of iron overload as the disease mechanism. The innervation pattern of the heart by parasympathetic, sympathetic, and sensory neurons, as well as their interaction with the cardiac conduction system, is critical for the homeostatic operation of the cardiovascular system. In situations such as exercise, traumatic injury, or blood loss, a compensatory increase in cardiac output is achieved by a corresponding increase in adrenergic activity.