Editing Alpha cell (section)

=== Neuronal Control ===
The most well studied is through the action of extra-pancreatic glucose sensors, including neurons found in the brain, which exert control over the alpha cells in the pancreas.<ref name=":3" /> The pancreas is controlled by both the [[sympathetic nervous system]] and the [[parasympathetic nervous system]], although the method these two systems use to control the pancreas appears to be different.<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last1=Verberne |first1=Anthony J. M. |last2=Mussa |first2=Bashair M. |date=2022-06-01 |title=Neural control of pancreatic peptide hormone secretion |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196978122000341 |journal=Peptides |language=en |volume=152 |pages=170768 |doi=10.1016/j.peptides.2022.170768 |pmid=35189258 |s2cid=246906606 |issn=0196-9781|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Sympathetic control of the pancreas appears to originate from the sympathetic preganglionic fibers in the lower thoracic and lumbar spinal cord.<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |first1=Tanja |last1=Babic |first2=R. Alberto |last2=Travagli |date=2016-09-23 |title=Neural Control of the Pancreas |url=https://pancreapedia.org/reviews/neural-control-of-pancreas |journal=Pancreapedia: The Exocrine Pancreas Knowledge Base |language=en |doi=10.3998/panc.2016.27|doi-access=free }}</ref> According to Travagli et al. "axons from these neurons exit the spinal cord through the [[Ventral root of spinal nerve|ventral roots]] and supply either the [[paravertebral ganglia]] of the sympathetic chain via communicating rami of the thoracic and lumbar nerves, or the celiac and mesenteric ganglia via the [[splanchnic nerves]]. The catecholaminergic neurons of these ganglia innervate the intrapancreatic ganglia, islets and blood vessels..."<ref name=":6" /> The exact nature of the effect of sympathetic activation on the pancreas has been difficult to discern. However, a few things are known. It appears that stimulation of the splanchnic nerve lowers plasma insulin levels possibly through the action of α2 adrenoreceptors on beta cells.<ref name=":6" /> It has also been shown that stimulation of the splanchnic nerve increases glucagon secretion.<ref name=":6" /> Both of these findings together suggest that sympathetic stimulation of the pancreas is meant to maintain blood glucose levels during heightened arousal.<ref name=":6" />

Parasympathetic control of the pancreas appears to originate from the [[Vagus nerve]].<ref name=":5" /> Electrical and pharmacological stimulation of the Vagus nerve increases secretion of glucagon and insulin in most mammalian species, including humans. This suggests that the role of parasympathetic control is to maintain normal blood glucose concentration under normal conditions.<ref name=":5" />