A novel conceptual model of heart rate autonomic modulation based on a small-world modular structure of the sinoatrial node.

ABSTRACT: The present view on heartbeat initiation is that a primary pacemaker cell or a group of cells in the sinoatrial node (SAN) center paces the rest of the SAN and the atria. However, recent high-resolution imaging studies show a more complex paradigm of SAN function that emerges from heterogeneous signaling, mimicking brain cytoarchitecture and function. Here, we developed and tested a new conceptual numerical model of SAN organized similarly to brain networks featuring a modular structure with small-world topology. In our model, a lower rate module leads action potential (AP) firing in the basal state and during parasympathetic stimulation, whereas a higher rate module leads during β-adrenergic stimulation. Such a system reproduces the respective shift of the leading pacemaker site observed

SUBMITTER: Maltsev AV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10750401 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature