The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a vital link between the brain and peripheral organs, regulating involuntary physiological processes such as respiration, blood pressure, digestion, and thermoregulation. It is composed of two branches: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic (vagal) nervous system. Both branches contain sensory neurons that convey information from the organs (through autonomic afferents) and motor neurons that transmit signals from the brain to the target organs (via autonomic efferents) to modify their functions. Maintaining intact bidirectional autonomic signaling is essential for overall health. Impaired sensing of the body’s internal state, or reduced or excessive motor output to peripheral organs, can lead to metabolic imbalances and contribute to conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart and liver diseases. 

This Methods Collection aims to compile various in vivo, genetic, surgical, chemical, and molecular techniques that can be used on animals to accurately investigate the role and function of sympathetic or vagal innervation in target organs. This may include, but is not limited to, methods for surgical or chemical (i.e., neurotoxin/neurolytic agents) ablation of afferents/efferents to target organs, chemogenetic or optogenetic activation or suppression of autonomic branches, detection of neurotransmitter turnover, isolation of ganglia and measurement of their activity, and validation of autonomic activation or denervation. 

Ultimately, this collection will enhance our understanding of the ANS’s role in the functionality of various target organs in both healthy and diseased states.