Enteric motor and interneuronal circuits controlling motility

Abstract

The enteric nervous system regulates intestinal motility. It contains intrinsic sensory neurones, several types of interneurones and excitatory and inhibitory motor neurones. This review summarizes our knowledge of motor neurones and interneurones in simple motility reflex pathways (ascending and descending excitation, descending inhibition) and it focuses on guinea-pig ileum. Excitatory circular muscle motor neurones contain choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and tachykinins and project orally 0.5-10 mm. They transmit via muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and tachykinins acting at NK1 and NK2 receptors. Inhibitory circular muscle motor neurones contain nitric oxide synthase (NOS), vasoactive..