UNC

New research reveals how the human brain processes vital signals from the heart and lungs, offering new insights into the complex brain-body integration essential for health and cognition. The study identifies specific neurons in the thalamus that play a crucial role in integrating cardio-respiratory information, providing a deeper understanding of the functional pathways connecting internal organs to brain health. By employing microelectrode recordings during deep brain stimulation surgery, the researchers discovered that a significant proportion of neurons are responsive to cardiac and respiratory rhythms, highlighting the brain's intricate mechanism for maintaining homeostasis.