Neurogastroenterology
Encyclopedia
Neurogastroenterology is a research area in the field of Gastroenterology
which regards interactions of the central nervous system (brain
) and the gut - the so-called brain-gut axis. Important research focuses upon upward (sensory) and downward (motor and regulatory) neural connections and upon endocrine influences on gut function. Another area is the enteric nervous system
in itself. Clinical research deals mainly with motility disorders and functional bowel disorder
s (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome
and functional dyspepsia) and dysphagia
.
Important techniques in clinical Neurogastroenterology research: Barostat
Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine whereby the digestive system and its disorders are studied. The name is a combination of three Ancient Greek words gaster , enteron , and logos...
which regards interactions of the central nervous system (brain
Human brain
The human brain has the same general structure as the brains of other mammals, but is over three times larger than the brain of a typical mammal with an equivalent body size. Estimates for the number of neurons in the human brain range from 80 to 120 billion...
) and the gut - the so-called brain-gut axis. Important research focuses upon upward (sensory) and downward (motor and regulatory) neural connections and upon endocrine influences on gut function. Another area is the enteric nervous system
Enteric nervous system
The enteric nervous system is a subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that directly controls the gastrointestinal system in vertebrates.It is derived from neural crest.-Function:...
in itself. Clinical research deals mainly with motility disorders and functional bowel disorder
Functional bowel disorder
In medicine, the term functional colonic disease refers to a group of bowel disorders which are characterised by chronic abdominal complaints without a structural or biochemical cause that could explain symptoms....
s (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion. It is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits in the absence of any detectable organic cause. In some cases, the symptoms are relieved by bowel movements...
and functional dyspepsia) and dysphagia
Dysphagia
Dysphagia is the medical term for the symptom of difficulty in swallowing. Although classified under "symptoms and signs" in ICD-10, the term is sometimes used as a condition in its own right. Sufferers are sometimes unaware of their dysphagia....
.
Important techniques in clinical Neurogastroenterology research: Barostat
Barostat
A barostat is a device used to maintain constant pressure in a closed chamber. Their main principle is providing constant pressures in a balloon by means of a pneumatic pump...