Summary: New research reveals the heart has its own complex nervous system, or “mini-brain,” capable of regulating the heartbeat independently of the brain. Conducted on zebrafish, the study identified specialized neurons within the heart, including some with pacemaker properties, challenging traditional views of heartbeat control.

This discovery provides new insights into heart diseases and potential treatments for conditions like arrhythmias. Researchers aim to explore how this cardiac nervous system interacts with the brain during stress, exercise, or disease to identify novel therapeutic targets.