Neurogastroenterology: imaging of the sensory and motor control of the GI tract

The central nervous system plays a major role in the receipt and processing of gastrointestinal signals both at a conscious and subconscious level. It also provides major input into the motor control of the gut, most particularly with regard to swallowing and defecation. This review indicates how this control operates and provides recent experimental evidence of mechanisms underlying it both in health and disease.