Abstract: The interaction between heart and brain has drawn more and more attention in recent years. The concept of heart-brain integration has been gradually established, which means the interaction in physiology and pathology between the two organs. On the basis of nerve-fluid system, sympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAs) are involved in the modulation of heart and brain. As review of the ancient literature of China, heart and brain were considered as the organs of cognition and behavior, which are the functions of only brain from modern science. Several recent researches supported the opinions of ancient Chinese scholars in some ways.

Key words: heart, brain, spirit, heart-brain integration