Abnormalities of neuromuscular anatomy in diverticular disease
Abstract
The pathogenesis of diverticular disease is still poorly understood and considered to be multifactorial. Whereas classical pathogenetic concepts have focused on risk factors including increasing age, low-fiber diet and connective tissue disorders, novel concepts take into account that patients with diverticular disease exhibit disturbed intestinal motility patterns (that may result in functional obstruction and painful sensations) therefore postulating an underlying enteric neuro-/myopathy. Recent studies including quantitative evaluations of the enteric nervous system (ENS) in diverticular disease yielded hypoganglionic conditions of both myenteric and submucosal plexus as well as a nerve tissue remodeling in chronic diverticular disease. The disturbed neuromuscular communication was proven by demonstrating alterations in several enteric neurotransmitter systems, exemplified for the cholinergic, serotonergic, nitrergic system as well as for vasointestinal peptide, galanin and tachykinins. Novel lines of evidence have added the involvement of neurotrophic factors such as glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor which is supposed to regulate ENS development and maintenance and which is downregulated in patients with diverticu...Continue Reading
References
Citations
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Basal Ganglia
Basal Ganglia are a group of subcortical nuclei in the brain associated with control of voluntary motor movements, procedural and habit learning, emotion, and cognition. Here is the latest research.
Allergy and Asthma
Allergy and asthma are inflammatory disorders that are triggered by the activation of an allergen-specific regulatory t cell. These t cells become activated when allergens are recognized by allergen-presenting cells. Here is the latest research on allergy and asthma.