title: New horizons in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal neuromuscular disease.
abstract: The term "gastrointestinal neuromuscular disease" can be interpreted variably and encompasses a spectrum of paediatric and adult conditions including achalasia, pseudoobstruction, idiopathic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, megacolon, and Hirschsprung disease. Although progress has been made in the understanding of the pathophysiology of some conditions, the aetiopathogenesis has been elucidated only in the rare minority. This review critically considers the available evidence for possible pathogenic mechanisms in these disorders.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Academic Surgery, Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Barts and The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine & Dentistry, London, UK. c.h.knowles@qmul.ac.uk
authors.forename: Charles H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Knowles
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology; D015415:Biomarkers; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers