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An In-vitro Preparation of Isolated Enteric Neurons and Glia from the Myenteric Plexus of the Adult Mouse
Published on: August 7, 2013
The enteric nervous system and neurogastroenterology
1Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia. j.furness@unimelb.edu.au
Nature Reviews. Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|March 7, 2012
Summary
Neurogastroenterology studies how the nervous system controls digestion. The enteric nervous system (ENS) plays a crucial role, with its dysfunction leading to serious gastrointestinal disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neurogastroenterology
- Gastrointestinal Neurology
Background:
- Neurogastroenterology integrates the central nervous system (CNS) and enteric nervous system (ENS) for digestive control.
- The ENS manages gastrointestinal musculature and fluid movement, coordinating with neural and endocrine signals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of neurogastroenterology.
- To highlight the critical functions of the ENS in digestive processes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on the ENS and CNS roles in digestion.
- Analysis of ENS control over gut motility and fluid transport.
Main Results:
- The ENS is vital for gastrointestinal function, with varying degrees of control along the digestive tract.
- ENS neuropathies like Hirschsprung disease and Chagas disease have severe consequences.
- Disorders such as achalasia and gastroparesis result from ENS dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- The ENS is a key regulator of digestion, utilizing diverse neurotransmitters and receptors.
- Understanding ENS mechanisms offers potential therapeutic targets for digestive disorders.
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