Mathematical modelling of enteric neural motor patterns

Abstract

The enteric nervous system modulates intestinal behaviours, such as motor patterns and secretion. Although much is known about different types of neurons and simple reflexes in the intestine, it remains unclear how complex behaviours are generated. Mathematical modelling is an important tool for assisting the understanding of how the neurons and reflexes can be pieced together to generate intestinal behaviours. Models have identified a functional role for slow excitatory post-synaptic potentials (EPSPs) by distinguishing between fast and slow EPSPs in the ascending excitation reflex. These models also discovered coordinated firing of similarly located neurons as emergent properties of feed-f..