The enteric nervous system and neurogastroenterology
Open accessAbstract
Neurogastroenterology is defined as neurology of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, gallbladder and pancreas and encompasses control of digestion through the enteric nervous system (ENS), the central nervous system (CNS) and integrative centers in sympathetic ganglia. This Review provides a broad overview of the field of neurogastroenterology, with a focus on the roles of the ENS in the control of the musculature of the gastrointestinal tract and transmucosal fluid movement. Digestion is controlled through the integration of multiple signals from the ENS and CNS; neural signals also pass between distinct gut regions to coordinate digestive activity. Moreover, neural and endocrine control of digestion is closely coordinated. Interestingly, the extent to which the ENS or CNS controls digestion differs considerably along the digestive tract. The importance of the ENS is emphasized by the life-threatening effects of certain ENS neuropathies, including Hirschsprung disease and Chagas disease. Other ENS disorders, such as esophageal achalasia and gastroparesis, cause varying degrees of dysfunction. The neurons in enteric reflex pathways use a wide range of chemical messengers that signal through an even wider range of receptors. These receptors provide many actual and potential targets for modifying digestive function.
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In gut-brain signaling, the ENS communicates with the CNS via intestinofugal neurons to sympathetic ganglia, with sensory information traveling via extrinsic primary afferent neurons that follow spinal and vagal afferent routes.
“In the context of gut-brain signaling, the ENS communicates with the CNS via intestinofugal neurons to sympathetic ganglia with sensory information traveling via extrinsic primary afferent neurons that follow spinal and vagal afferent routes (Furness, 2012).”
From The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis (2019) · cites this paper as Furness, 2012
The autonomic nervous system and enteric nervous system regulate gut secretion, motility, and immune responses, all of which influence microbiota composition.
“The autonomic nervous system and ENS regulate gut secretion, motility, and immune responses, all of which influence microbiota composition [42].”
From The Gut–Brain–Microbiota Connection and Its Role in Autism Spectrum Disorders (2025) · cites this paper as [42]
Gut microbes communicate with a variety of cells of the gastrointestinal endocrine system.
“Gut microbes communicate with a variety of cells of the gastrointestinal endocrine system [22].”
From Role of diet and its effects on the gut microbiome in the pathophysiology of mental disorders (2022) · cites this paper as [22]
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- Authors
- Furness, J. B.
- Affiliations
- The University of Melbourne (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Furness, John B.
- ORCID
- Furness, John B.
- Venue
- Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology
- Published
- 2012-03-06
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 286-294
- ISSN
- 1759-5045 (ISSN-L)
- 1759-5053
- OpenAlex
- W1981367331
- Cited by
- 1,619
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 139 · 2025: 158 · 2024: 133 · 2023: 156 · 2022: 162 · 2021: 158 · 2020: 143 · 2019: 98 · 2018: 89 · 2017: 91 · 2016: 96 · 2015: 83 · 2014: 50 · 2013: 48 · 2012: 14
- FWCI
- 9.08
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- figshare.com
- Licence
- Locations
- Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- National Health and Medical Research Council
- National Medical Research Council
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Congenital gastrointestinal and neural anomalies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
- Keywords
- enteric nervous system, neurogastroenterology, gastrointestinal motility, sympathetic ganglia, Hirschsprung disease, Chagas disease, achalasia, gastroparesis
- MeSH terms
- Gastrointestinal Motility, Humans, Neurons, Enteric Nervous System, Gastrointestinal Tract
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