The gastrointestinal tract is the only internal organ to have evolved with its own independent
nervous system, known as the enteric nervous system (ENS). This Review provides an …

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is an extensive network comprising millions of neurons
and glial cells contained within the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. The major functions of …

Alterations in colonic motility are implicated in the pathophysiology of bowel disorders, but
high-resolution manometry of human colonic motor function has revealed that our …

Background Until recently, investigations of the normal patterns of motility of the healthy
human colon have been limited by the resolution of in vivo recording techniques. Methods …

In recent years there have been significant technical and methodological advances in our
ability to record the movements of the gastrointestinal tract. This has led to significant …

The segmentation motor activity of the gut that facilitates absorption of nutrients was first
described in the late 19th century, but the fundamental mechanisms underlying it remain …

The enteric nervous system controls a variety of gastrointestinal functions including intestinal
motility. The minimal neuronal circuit necessary to direct peristalsis is well-characterized but …

Background Colonic microbiota digest resistant starches producing short chain fatty acids
(SCFA s). The main SCFA s produced are acetate, propionate, and butyrate. Both excitatory …

Mechanosensation, the ability to properly sense mechanical stimuli and transduce them into
physiologic responses, is an essential determinant of gastrointestinal (GI) function …

The basic science and clinical interest in the networks of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) keep
growing, and here, research from 2010 to mid-2013 is highlighted. High-resolution …