Gut Neuropathies and Intestinal Motility Disorders

Background: The enteric nervous system plays a key role in the coordination of gastrointestinal motility together with sympathetic, parasympathetic, and extrinsic sensory pathways. In some cases, abnormalities in neural activity in these pathways contribute to disorders of gut motility. Where this is associated with damage or death of enteric neurons, usually detected by microscopy, this is considered a gut neuropathy. Purpose: This review summarizes recent advances in the identification of neuropathies in a range of gastrointestinal motility disorders.