Autonomic Tone

Autonomic tone is the continuous baseline activity of the autonomic nervous system that regulates involuntary functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and pupil diameter. It arises from ongoing sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve signaling, whose effects are integrated through brainstem and hypothalamic circuits and adjusted by feedback from visceral sensory receptors, including baroreceptors. Measuring changes in autonomic tone, often through heart-rate variability, blood-pressure responses, or pharmacological tests, helps researchers assess cardiovascular control, stress physiology, and adaptation to changing demands. In biology and medicine, this concept links neural regulation with whole-body homeostasis and can clarify altered function in disease.

Autonomic Tone - Related Videos

Research

JoVE Journal - Medicine
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Quantitative Autonomic Testing

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Cited by 179 •

2011

Standardized, comprehensive and fully quantitative testing of autonomic functions is described. The autonomic tests consist of evaluation of all three major autonomic domains including cardiovagal, adrenergic and sudomotor. The severity and distribution of dysautonomia is quantitated using Composite Autonomic Severity Scores.

Research

JoVE Journal - Medicine
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Method to Measure Tone of Axial and Proximal Muscle

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Cited by 5 •

2011

We have developed a device (Twister) to study the regulation of tonic muscle activity during active postural maintenance. Twister measures torsional resistance and muscular responses in standing subjects during twisting of the body axis. The device can be flexibly configured to study various aspects of tonic control across the neck, trunk, and/or hips.

Education

JoVE Core - Pathophysiology

Alterations in Muscle Tone ll

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2026

Alterations in muscle tone are common manifestations of neurological disorders and reflect dysfunction within different nervous system regions. Spasticity, paratonia, and dystonia represent distinct forms of hypertonia, each with unique mechanisms, clinical features, and diagnostic importance.CharacteristicsSpasticity happens from upper motor neuron lesions and is characterized by velocity-dependent resistance to passive movement. Clinical features include:Exaggerated deep tendon reflexesClonus...

Alterations in Muscle Tone lll

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2026

Rigidity and myotonia are distinct abnormalities of muscle tone that affect resistance and relaxation during movement. Although both involve altered muscle contraction, they arise from different neurological and muscular mechanisms.CharacteristicsRigidity is characterized by uniform resistance to passive movement across the entire range, independent of speed, affecting flexors and extensors equally. It may appear as lead-pipe rigidity (smooth, constant resistance) or cogwheel rigidity...

Developing a Translaminar Pressure Model Using a Translaminar Autonomous System

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2025

Source: Sharma, T. P., et al., Translaminar Autonomous System Model for the Modulation of Intraocular and Intracranial Pressure in Human Donor Posterior Segments. J. Vis. Exp. (2020).This video demonstrates the procedure of preparing a human eye to study the effects of translaminar pressure on retinal ganglion cell signaling by simulating intraocular and intracranial pressures in a translaminar autonomous system.

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