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. 2004 Mar;53(Suppl 2):ii13–ii15. doi: 10.1136/gut.2003.033431

Sensitisation of gastrointestinal tract afferents

S McMahon
PMCID: PMC1867771  PMID: 14960552

Abstract

Sensory innervation of the viscera serves a number of important functions, including regulation of visceral motility and secretory activity, and transmission of visceral sensations, including pain. There are many ways in which the sensitivity of visceral sensory neurones might be modulated, and these are discussed. Altered sensory neurone responsiveness may contribute to pathophysiological states such as irritable bowel syndrome, and the mechanisms leading to sensory neurone sensitisation offer novel targets for the treatment of such disorders.

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Figure 1 .

Figure 1

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Modulation of primary sensory neurone sensitivity. (A) A list (on the left) of many of the stimuli which can lead to sensory neurone sensitisation. (B) Illustration of the second messenger cascades by which sensitising stimuli induce their local effects. (C) Illustration of the main effector mechanisms by which altered sensory neurone responsiveness is achieved.

Selected References

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