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Sci. Aging Knowl. Environ., 23 March 2005
Vol. 2005, Issue 12, p. pe8
[DOI: 10.1126/sageke.2005.12.pe8]

PERSPECTIVES

Age-Related Neurodegenerative Changes and How They Affect the Gut

Paul R. Wade, and Pamela J. Hornby

The authors are in the Enterology Research Team at Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development, L.L.C., Spring House, PA 19477, USA. E-mail: pwade{at}prdus.jnj.com (P.R.W.); phornby{at}prdus.jnj.com (P.J.H.)

http://sageke.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2005/12/pe8

Key Words: gastrointestinal tract • enteric nervous system • neurodegeneration • ganglia • caloric restriction

Abstract: The enteric nervous system (ENS) is the division of the autonomic nervous system that regulates gastrointestinal (GI) function. Although large numbers of enteric neurons may be lost with age, the GI tract remains surprisingly functional. Exceptions to this generality include swallowing disorders and reduced colonic motility in the elderly. Evidence of age-related neurodegenerative changes in structure and function of the ENS is briefly reviewed in this Perspective.

Citation: P. R. Wade, P. J. Hornby, Age-Related Neurodegenerative Changes and How They Affect the Gut. Sci. Aging Knowl. Environ. 2005 (12), pe8 (2005).

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Science of Aging Knowledge Environment. ISSN 1539-6150