Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
14:55
Methods to Quantify Pharmacologically Induced Alterations in Motor Function in Human Incomplete SCI
Published on: April 18, 2011
Upper gastrointestinal motility changes following spinal cord injury
F A A Gondim1, G R de Oliveira, F P Thomas
1Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. gondimfranc@yahoo.com
Neurogastroenterology and Motility
|January 6, 2010
Summary
Spinal cord injury (SCI) significantly delays gastric emptying of solid food in rats. Recovery occurs after contusion but not transection, indicating persistent gastric motility issues after spinal cord injury.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gastroenterology
- Physiology
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes autonomic dysfunction, impacting gastrointestinal (GI) motility.
- Previous research noted impaired GI transit and gastric emptying (GE) after SCI in rats.
Discussion:
- Solid meal GE is delayed within 3 weeks of spinal cord transection (SCT) or contusion (SCC) in rats.
- GE delay is more pronounced after SCT than SCC.
- Functional GE recovery observed at 6 weeks post-SCC, but not post-SCT, though gastric motility alterations persist.
Key Insights:
- Solid meal gastric emptying is significantly impaired post-SCI.
- The type of spinal cord injury (transection vs. contusion) influences GE recovery.
- Gastric motility dysfunction can persist even after functional GE normalization.
Outlook:
- Further research into mechanisms of autonomic dysfunction post-SCI is crucial.
- Developing standardized methods for evaluating autonomic function after SCI is needed.
- These efforts may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for SCI-related GI issues.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
Gastrointestinal or GI motility disorders are characterized by irregular gastrointestinal tract movements, disrupting food transit from the mouth to the anus. They are caused by damage or dysfunction in gut muscles or nerves. These disorders can cause symptoms such as severe constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and swallowing difficulties. Disorders can affect any segment of the GI tract and range widely in severity, from common conditions like GERD to life-threatening conditions like...
01:16Gastric Motility
Gastric motility is the coordinated contraction and relaxation of stomach muscles that convert ingested food into chyme, a semi-liquid substance ready for further digestion in the intestines. The process begins with the vagus nerve inducing the relaxation of the smooth muscles in the fundus and body of the stomach, allowing these regions to expand and accommodate up to approximately 1.5 liters of food and liquid.
Peristaltic Waves and Chyme Formation
Upon food entry, the stomach initiates...
Peristaltic Waves and Chyme Formation
Upon food entry, the stomach initiates...
01:25Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology
Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...
01:11Enteric Nervous System: Regulation of GI Motor Activity
The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) plays a pivotal role in regulating gastrointestinal or GI motor activity. This complex network of nerves, deeply embedded within the gut wall, responds to changes in the gut environment and receives input from both the autonomic nervous system and the central nervous system. By doing so, the ENS operates various programs tailored to the body's nutritional status and needs.
During periods of fasting, the ENS initiates the migrating myoelectric complex, a program...
During periods of fasting, the ENS initiates the migrating myoelectric complex, a program...
01:23Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists
Serotonin, a crucial neurotransmitter synthesized by enterochromaffin cells, plays a cardinal role in regulating gastrointestinal (GI) motility. With over 90% of the body's total serotonin in the GI tract, its influence on digestive processes is profound. Serotonin is swiftly released upon various stimuli, such as food boluses or certain drugs, triggering intrinsic sensory neurons in the myenteric plexus and extrinsic vagal and spinal sensory neurons. This leads to the activation of the...
01:14Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology
Spinal cord injury progresses through two interconnected phases: primary injury and secondary injury.Primary InjuryPrimary injury happens at the moment of trauma and involves immediate mechanical damage to the spinal cord.Compression happens when broken vertebrae, herniated discs, or accumulating blood (such as a hematoma) press directly against the spinal cord, distorting its normal shape and function. In cases of contusion, the cord is bruised by a blunt force (like penetrating injuries or...