Preface

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a very complex, multilayer neural network that maintains physiologic homeostasis in response to internal and external stimuli. It has both central and peripheral anatomical and physiological integration. ANS can be considered as a subsystem of the nervous system that possesses several levels (groups) for receiving, transmitting, generating, and processing information; an "artificial intelligence" biological system.

This book enriches our current understanding about various ANS subjects. It begins with a short introductory chapter by the editors that reviews the application of electroceuticals therapies in various ANS states.

The first section is the Introduction

The second section includes three chapters. The first chapter, written by Dr. Sato et al., reviews the importance of the ANS in a healthy lifestyle and sleep status for healthy aging. The second chapter, written by Dr. Moacir et al., presents a narrative review of heart rate variability as a homeostasis level index. Finally, the chapter by Dr. Mayowa et al. reviews the literature about the ANS–stress relationship.

The third section includes six chapters. The first chapter, by Prof. Alexandrova et al., discusses general anesthesia and the ANS. The second chapter, by Dr. Wiyarta et al., is about heart ANS basic science and clinical application. The third chapter by Dr. Robert Drury highlights the new emerging technologies for ANS assessment in ambulances. The fourth chapter by Prof. Lopez presents a detailed description of the central control of the larynx in mammals, and the fifth chapter by Prof. Chandrasekaran focuses on signaling pathways that regulate axonogenesis and dendritogenesis in sympathetic neurons. The final chapter, written by Prof. Svorc, describes ANS changes under general anesthesia in rats.

The diversity of the subjects presented in the book make it a valuable reference for future researchers.

> **Theodoros Aslanidis** Consultant-Researcher, ICU, St. Paul General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece

Senior Lecturer, College of Offshore and Remote Medicine, Pretty Bay, Malta

**Christos Nouris** Consultant, Anesthesiology Department, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece

Section 1 Introduction
