In this video, 3D images based on light sheet microscopy and volume imaging technology visualize the nervous system in the heart.

The heart provides our entire body with life-giving oxygen and nutrients via the blood. During stress, fright or flight, the heart is activated partially via the sympathetic nervous system putting us in an alert situation to better escape danger.

The video shows the heart in 3D with two proteins stained with antibodies to visualize the sympathetic nerves (in green). The coronary artery network has been immunostained with antibody against smooth muscle actin (SMA, red). Cecilia Linde, professor in cardiology at Karolinska Institutet, is interviewed and she gives her view on the 3D technology generated by the HPA team.

The heart is shown in 3D and the protein tyrosine-hydroxylase (TH) has been volume immunostained. In this movie, Cecilia Linde, professor in cardiology at Karolinska Institutet, describes the sympathetic nervous system of the heart, which releases noradrenalin.

"The amount of nerve endings in the heart is unknown to many. By looking at the heart in 3D, we can identify two systems, one originates from the clump nerve cells, called stellate ganglion located close to the spinal cord, but we can also see another less well-known system, characterized by long curly nerves originating from nerve cells around the heart atria", professor Linde says.

Watch the spectacular movie "The Nervous Heart" and other educational movies on the HPA YouTube channel.