A brief history of Russian research on the autonomic nervous system

Abstract

The first information on the structure and function of the autonomic nervous system dates back to the time of Galen (second century), while the beginning of the study of the autonomic nervous system in Russia can be traced back to the mid‐19th century. This review is devoted to the professional achievements of Russian researchers in the 19th and 20th centuries who were active in the field of the autonomic nervous system at different stages of the development of neuromorphology and neurophysiology. In addition, recent achievements of modern Russian researchers active in this domain are also highlighted. This review is mainly devoted to research on the autonomic nervous system in Russia, but it would be unfair not to mention the scientists who made a significant contribution to this field of science and worked in the republics of the former USSR. Russian morphology and physiology developed under the significant influence of well‐known western scientific schools. I sincerely hope that cooperation between Russian and foreign colleagues will continue and will be fruitful for global science.

The autonomic nervous system from a morphofunctional perspective: Historical overview and current concepts over the last two centuries highlighting contributions from Eastern Europe

“…The first contribution to this special issue by Prof. Alexandr Nozdrachev of the State University of Saint Petersburg (Nozdrachev, 2023) provides a comprehensive review on the pioneering achievements of researchers from Eastern Europe in the field of the autonomic nervous system since the 19th century and also includes an overview of the recent advances in this domain by researchers from this geographical region. Particularly the earlier works were published in either Russian or German and therefore remained somewhat unacknowledged or unknown until translated editions became available.…”