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Related Concept Videos

Enteric Nervous System: Regulation of GI Motor Activity01:11

Enteric Nervous System: Regulation of GI Motor Activity

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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...
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Nerve Supply of the GI Tract01:27

Nerve Supply of the GI Tract

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The neuronal supply to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is essential for regulating various functions, including digestion, absorption, and movement of food. This intricate network of nerves is known as the enteric nervous system (ENS), often referred to as the "second brain" of the body.
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Gastric Motility01:16

Gastric Motility

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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
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Neural Regulation01:37

Neural Regulation

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Digestion begins with a cephalic phase that prepares the digestive system to receive food. When our brain processes visual or olfactory information about food, it triggers impulses in the cranial nerves innervating the salivary glands and stomach to prepare for food.
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Physiology of Enteric Nervous System and Gut Health01:05

Physiology of Enteric Nervous System and Gut Health

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The gastrointestinal tract, responsible for the digestion and absorption of nutrients, is safeguarded by the intestinal barrier, which consists of secretory, physical, and immune components. At the forefront is the secretory barrier, composed of essential elements such as mucus, gut microbiota, and defense proteins. They collaborate to break down food particles, facilitate nutrient absorption, and maintain optimal gut health. These secretory components ensure the smooth functioning of the...
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Regulation of the Digestive System01:25

Regulation of the Digestive System

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Digestive activity regulation hinges on three primary components. Activation is prompted by a multitude of mechanical and chemical indicators, primarily detected by receptors within the stomach and intestines' walls. These receptors predominantly respond to factors such as mechanical stretching of the organ walls, changes in pH and osmolarity, and the presence of digesting materials and their by-products.
The effectors in this regulation system are glands and smooth muscles. Activation of...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 26, 2025

Video Imaging and Spatiotemporal Maps to Analyze Gastrointestinal Motility in Mice
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Enteric glutamatergic interneurons regulate intestinal motility.

Ryan Hamnett1, Jacqueline L Bendrick2, Zinnia Saha1

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.

Neuron
|February 21, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Glutamatergic neurons, key players in the enteric nervous system (ENS), regulate gut motility. These neurons, identified as descending interneurons and a novel colonic type, control intestinal transit and propulsive movements.

Keywords:
enteric nervous systemglutamateinterneuronsmouseoptogeneticssynapses

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Gastroenterology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The enteric nervous system (ENS) autonomously regulates digestion.
  • Glutamatergic neurons are a distinct subpopulation within the ENS.
  • The precise role and circuit position of glutamatergic neurons in gut motility remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the neurochemical identity, anatomical location, and functional role of glutamatergic neurons in the ENS.
  • To elucidate the contribution of glutamatergic signaling to intestinal motility regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Transcriptomic analysis to identify neuronal subtypes.
  • Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization to determine neuronal location and connectivity.
  • Genetic manipulation (VGLUT2 knockout) and optogenetics in ex vivo models to assess functional impact.

Main Results:

  • Glutamatergic neurons were identified as descending interneurons in the small intestine and colon, and as a novel circumferential neuronal class in the colon.
  • These neurons form synaptic connections with various neuronal subtypes and co-express neurotransmitters like acetylcholine and enkephalin.
  • Disruption of VGLUT2 in enkephalin neurons impaired gastrointestinal transit.
  • Optogenetic stimulation of glutamatergic neurons induced colonic propulsive motility.

Conclusions:

  • Glutamatergic neurons are crucial interneurons within the ENS.
  • They play a significant role in regulating both intestinal transit and propulsive colonic motility.
  • These findings reveal a novel functional aspect of glutamatergic signaling in the gut.