week 9 Flashcards
What is the gut-brain axis?
The bidirection commnuication between the gut and the brain. The gut can influence neurotransmitters, stress etc.
what are the elements of the gastrointestinal tract?
esophagus, stomach, gallbladder, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus. Really complex organ, has its own nervous system *enteric nervous system
Largest endronic organ in body.
The vagus nerve
brain controls gut through vagus nerve. Vagus nerve regulates function of heaps of internal organs. Digestion, heart rate, respitatory rate, coughing, sneezing, swallowing, vomiting. Sends sensory infromation from gut to brain, rarely the other way around (brain to gut)
What is the name of the guts nervous system
the enteric nervous system
what are the two plexus of the enteric nervous system
the myenteric plexus (relaxation)
And the submocosal plexus (
what does the enteric nervous system do?
Regulates gut contraction, local bloood flow and the secretion and absorbtion of fluids. Interacts with gut endocrine and immune systems. Modifies nutrient absorption.
How gut is impacted by neurological illness?
Ppl with disorders like parkinsons, strokes and multiple sclerosis are prone to constipation. Could be due from issues with muscles and nerves, meds, swalowing problems etc.
Gut problems are for times more prevalent for those with ASD (constipation, bloating, vomiting, restricted dietary preferences.)
Tell me about mice, genes, guts, and autism?
When you have germ free mice, they tend to have lots of issues in their stomach, and also display traits synonymous with autism (like being aggro etc) that are due to their lack of a normal microbiome.
How does the nervous system influence bacteria.
Neural activity can alter mucosal barrier, changes in permeabilitiy. Changes in microbial environment.
what are the elements of the mucusal barrier?
epithelium, mucus, immune system, nervous system.
so how could the brain actually influence gut microbiome?
through the NS. can influence how cells are packed, gut motility, how mucus is released and how healthy that mucus is.
what does the gut microbiome actually do
So the gut microbiota breaks down mucus, ferments non-digestible substrates (fibres). Production of short chain fatty acids
Training our immune system.
what is dysbiosis, and how does it occur?
dysbiosis is an imbalance in the gut flora caused by antiobiotics, disease, diet changes or anti depressants.
what is phage therapy?
Phage therapy is when a cocktail of different viruses is created to target bacteria; an alternative to antibiotics.
