Affiliation:
1. Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract has its own “brain,” the enteric nervous system or ENS, that executes routine housekeeping functions of digestion. The dorsal vagal complex in the central nervous system (CNS) brainstem, however, organizes vagovagal reflexes and establishes interconnections between the entire neuroaxis of the CNS and the gut. Thus, the dorsal vagal complex links the “CNS brain” to the “ENS brain.” This brain-gut connectome provides reflex adjustments that optimize digestion and assimilation of nutrients and fluid. Vagovagal circuitry also generates the plasticity and adaptability needed to maintain homeostasis to coordinate among organs and to react to environmental situations. Arguably, this dynamic flexibility provided by the vagal circuitry may, in some circumstances, lead to or complicate maladaptive disorders.
Funder
HHS | NIH | National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
HHS | NIH | NIH Office of the Director
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Subject
Physiology (medical),Gastroenterology,Hepatology,Physiology
Cited by
20 articles.
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