The axon reflex

This brief review focuses on historical development of the knowledge about the axon reflex and on investigationsin which this reflex used to link pathophysiologic processes to symptoms of the disease state through theorganization of neuronal networks. Unlike spinal reflexes, there is neither an integration center nor any synapsein the arc of the axon reflex. Receptor and effector of axon reflex are at the peripheral ends of an afferent neuronTo set the basic knowledge and major achievements we first provide a brief account of the understanding ofthe spinal cord in conventional reflexes. Next, recent work on specifically axon reflex and its involvement inprocesses such as pain, itch, bronchial asthma and dermal circulation is reviewed.