Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists01:23

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists

1.3K
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...
1.3K
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists01:28

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists

1.8K
Prokinetic agents are specialized medications that stimulate gastrointestinal (GI) motility, promoting food movement through the GI tract. Dopamine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, plays a significant role in this process, reducing GI motility and indirectly controlling the speed of digestion. Dopamine receptor antagonists, such as metoclopramide and domperidone, offer a unique advantage as prokinetic agents. By blocking the dopamine receptors, these drugs increase GI motility, improving food...
1.8K
Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders01:20

Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders

1.6K
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...
1.6K
Enteric Nervous System: Regulation of GI Motor Activity01:11

Enteric Nervous System: Regulation of GI Motor Activity

2.2K
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...
2.2K
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Other Laxatives01:20

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Other Laxatives

1.5K
Laxatives are primarily used to alleviate constipation, a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by infrequent bowel movements and difficulty passing stools. They work by various mechanisms to increase the volume or frequency of bowel movements. The primary modes of action of laxatives include increasing stool bulk, softening the stool, stimulating intestinal motility, and osmotically drawing water into the intestines.
Osmotic or saline laxatives, like magnesium hydroxide or milk of...
1.5K
Gastric Motility01:16

Gastric Motility

4.3K
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...
4.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Stimulation of synthesis and release of brain-derived neurotropic factor from intestinal smooth muscle cells by substance P and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide.

Neurogastroenterology and motility·2015
Same author

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor enhances cholinergic contraction of longitudinal muscle of rabbit intestine via activation of phospholipase C.

American journal of physiology. Gastrointestinal and liver physiology·2013
Same author

Augmentation of the ascending component of the peristaltic reflex and substance P release by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor.

Neurogastroenterology and motility·2010
Same author

Differential changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor and extracellular signal-regulated kinase in rat primary afferent pathways with colitis.

Neurogastroenterology and motility·2008
Same author

Mediators and regulation of peristalsis.

Current opinion in gastroenterology·2006
Same author

The peristaltic reflex induced by short-chain fatty acids is mediated by sequential release of 5-HT and neuronal CGRP but not BDNF.

American journal of physiology. Gastrointestinal and liver physiology·2006
Same journal

Recognizing Suspected Colonic Hypercompliance in Refractory Constipation When Barostat Testing Is Unavailable-Authors' Reply.

Neurogastroenterology and motility·2026
Same journal

Accuracy of Novice Raters for Esophageal Motility Classifications Using Functional Lumen Imaging Probe Panometry.

Neurogastroenterology and motility·2026
Same journal

Letter to the Editor: "Magnesium-Rich Mineral Water Improves Stool Consistency and Bowel Habits in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Trial".

Neurogastroenterology and motility·2026
Same journal

The Drought of Evidence for Water Intake to Manage Constipation Symptoms May Be Ending.

Neurogastroenterology and motility·2026
Same journal

L-Carnitine Improves Visceral Hypersensitivity and Colonic Hyperpermeability in a Rat Model of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Neurogastroenterology and motility·2026
Same journal

Letter to the Editor: "Magnesium-Rich Mineral Water Improves Stool Consistency and Bowel Habits in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Trial".

Neurogastroenterology and motility·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 9, 2026

Gastrointestinal Motility Monitor GIMM
08:15

Gastrointestinal Motility Monitor GIMM

Published on: December 1, 2010

31.8K

Serotonin and colonic motility.

D M Kendig1, J R Grider1

  • 1Virginia Commonwealth University Program in Enteric Neuromuscular Sciences, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.

Neurogastroenterology and Motility
|June 23, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) plays a role in gut motility. Recent studies highlight the differential involvement of 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors in rat colonic motor patterns, challenging previous assumptions.

Keywords:
5-HT receptors5-hydroxytryptaminecolonic migrating motor complexmotility reflexesrat colon

More Related Videos

Spatiotemporal Mapping of Motility in Ex Vivo Preparations of the Intestines
12:00

Spatiotemporal Mapping of Motility in Ex Vivo Preparations of the Intestines

Published on: January 27, 2016

11.0K
Video Imaging and Spatiotemporal Maps to Analyze Gastrointestinal Motility in Mice
07:41

Video Imaging and Spatiotemporal Maps to Analyze Gastrointestinal Motility in Mice

Published on: February 3, 2016

14.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 9, 2026

Gastrointestinal Motility Monitor GIMM
08:15

Gastrointestinal Motility Monitor GIMM

Published on: December 1, 2010

31.8K
Spatiotemporal Mapping of Motility in Ex Vivo Preparations of the Intestines
12:00

Spatiotemporal Mapping of Motility in Ex Vivo Preparations of the Intestines

Published on: January 27, 2016

11.0K
Video Imaging and Spatiotemporal Maps to Analyze Gastrointestinal Motility in Mice
07:41

Video Imaging and Spatiotemporal Maps to Analyze Gastrointestinal Motility in Mice

Published on: February 3, 2016

14.9K

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Neurogastroenterology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) is abundant in the gut, influencing motility.
  • Drugs targeting 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors treat motility disorders but have cardiovascular side effects.
  • Recent research questions the necessity of 5-HT, particularly mucosal 5-HT, for colonic motility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the specific roles of 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors in colonic motility patterns.
  • To clarify the contribution of serotonin to colonic motor function in rats.

Main Methods:

  • Studies focused on specific colonic motility patterns, the colonic migrating motor complex (CMMC) in rats.
  • Examined the involvement of 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors in different CMMC types: long distance contraction (LDC) and rhythmic propulsive motor complex (RPMC).

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors are differentially involved in rat CMMCs.
  • These receptors play distinct roles in the initiation and generation of LDC and RPMC patterns.

Conclusions:

  • Serotonin's role in colonic motility is complex and depends on the specific motor pattern studied.
  • Understanding is influenced by study design, including stimulus and drug administration route, contributing to ongoing debate.