Mechanosensitivity: From Aristotle's sense of touch to cardiac mechano-electric coupling

Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology
Johann P Kuhtz-BuschbeckNicolaus Wilder

Abstract

Scientific interest in mechanosensation likely commenced with Aristotle's description of the sense of touch in his treatise de Anima [On the Soul]. Considering touch as a vital sense distributed over the whole body, the philosopher outlined a "physiological concept" at the macro-level already 2400 years ago. From this starting point, we outline the onset of modern sensory physiology during the early 19th century. Physiologists distinguished between outer and inner senses at that time, without, however, referring to specific receptors or nerves. We then outline how research on four topics concerning cardiac mechano-electric coupling developed up until the 1960's (cardio-respiratory coupling, Bainbridge reflex, Bezold-Jarisch reflex, stretch-induced arrhythmias). Following the discovery of macroscopic phenomena (e.g. change of heart rate, induced by atrial distension) during that period, researchers sought to identify the pertinent receptors and reflex loops, while nowadays the underlying subcellular mechanisms such as stretch-activated ion channels are under investigation.

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly due to stroke and thromboembolism. Here is the latest research.

Atrial Filbrillation

Atrial fibrillation refers to the abnormal heart rhythm characterized by rapid and irregular beating of the atria. Here is the latest research.

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmias are abnormalities in heart rhythms, which can be either too fast or too slow. They can result from abnormalities of the initiation of an impulse or impulse conduction or a combination of both. Here is the latest research on arrhythmias.

Related Papers

Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology
H Hu, F Sachs
Archivio di fisiologia
G PIVA, U ZINGONI
The Journal of Physiology
J J JONES
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved