Gastrointestinal neurotransmitter systems

The gastrointestinal neurotransmitter systems comprise the complex signaling network of the enteric nervous system (ENS), which autonomously regulates digestive processes including motility, secretion, and blood flow (Furness, 2012, PubMed). This system employs a vast array of chemical messengers such as acetylcholine, serotonin (5-HT), nitric oxide, and substance P to coordinate the activity of smooth muscle and epithelial cells (Gershon, 2013, Journal of Clinical Investigation). Dysregulation of these neurotransmitter pathways is implicated in various disorders, ranging from functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome to severe motility disorders like Hirschsprung disease (Wood, 2008, Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology). Pharmacological agents often target specific components of these systems, such as 5-HT3 receptors for anti-emetic effects or mu-opioid receptors for treating diarrhea (Camilleri, 2009, Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology). Because many of these neurotransmitters also function within the central nervous system, drug development focuses on achieving peripheral selectivity to avoid neurological side effects (Blackshaw et al., 2007, Gut). Overall, these systems represent a critical interface between the nervous system and metabolic health, serving as a major focus for therapeutic innovation in gastroenterology.

Other names

Enteric nervous system signalingGut neurotransmissionGastrointestinal neuromodulatorsENS neurotransmitter pathways

Modulation of enteric neurotransmission through agonism or antagonism of specific receptors (e.g., 5-HT3, 5-HT4, D2, mu-opioid) or through the regulation of neurotransmitter release and degradation within the gut wall.