gastrointestinal tracts tagged posts

How Sensory Neurons Impact the Gut

Neuronal Piezo2 mediates gastric emptying, intestinal and colonic transit in mice

Gastrointestinal and digestive issues impact roughly 3 million people across the United States alone, and that number is growing. A new study from Scripps Research scientists shows how sensory neurons control our gastrointestinal tracts — critical information that could shape our understanding of related diseases and disorders.

The study, published in the journal Cell on Aug. 3rd, 2023, used a combination of human clinical data and animal models to reveal that the receptor PIEZO2 controls gastrointestinal transit through the stomach, small intestine, and colon by sensing the presence of food and slowing the rate of gut motility accordingly...

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Gut Bacteria associated with Chronic Pain for first time

Human gut microbiome composition shows an enormous richness. Each circle represents a bacterial species, while the different colours mark different bacterial phyla. Credit: Dr. Amir Minerbi

People with fibromyalgia show variations in microbiome composition. A research team has shown, for the first time, that there are alterations in the bacteria in the gastrointestinal tracts of people with fibromyalgia. Approximately 20 different species of bacteria were found in either greater or are lesser quantities in the microbiomes of participants suffering from the disease than in the healthy control group.

Fibromyalgia affects 2-4 percent of the population and has no known cure...

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