title: Vagal neurocircuitry and its influence on gastric motility.
abstract: A large body of research has been dedicated to the effects of gastrointestinal peptides on vagal afferent fibres, yet multiple lines of evidence indicate that gastrointestinal peptides also modulate brainstem vagal neurocircuitry, and that this modulation has a fundamental role in the physiology and pathophysiology of the upper gastrointestinal tract. In fact, brainstem vagovagal neurocircuits comprise highly plastic neurons and synapses connecting afferent vagal fibres, second order neurons of the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), and efferent fibres originating in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV). Neuronal communication between the NTS and DMV is regulated by the presence of a variety of inputs, both from within the brainstem itself as well as from higher centres, which utilize an array of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. Because of the circumventricular nature of these brainstem areas, circulating hormones can also modulate the vagal output to the upper gastrointestinal tract. This Review summarizes the organization and function of vagovagal reflex control of the upper gastrointestinal tract, presents data on the plasticity within these neurocircuits after stress, and discusses the gastrointestinal dysfunctions observed in Parkinson disease as examples of physiological adjustment and maladaptation of these reflexes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State University College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Mail Code H109, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA.
authors.forename: R Alberto
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Travagli
authors.affiliation: Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Penn State University College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, Mail Code H109, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Anselmi
mesh_terms: D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D004525:Efferent Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000503:physiopathology; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin / Q000502:physiology; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D051844:alpha-Synuclein / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin; D051844:alpha-Synuclein; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone