PNAS reveals the logic of the "second brain" of the body

Researchers at Michigan State University have made amazing discoveries about the enteric nervous system of the human intestine, and the enteric nervous system itself is full of surprising facts

"Most people don't even know that they have this kind of stuff in their internal organs," said Gulbransen, a professor in the Department of Physiology at Michigan State University's School of Natural Sciences

In addition, the enteric nervous system is very independent: the intestines can perform many daily tasks, even if they are somehow disconnected from the central nervous system

Gulbransen said: "It's like the second brain

Neurons are the more common cell type and are mainly responsible for the electrical signals of the nervous system

Gulbransen and his team have now demonstrated that glial cells play a more active role in the enteric nervous system

"Think of the second brain as a computer, and glial cells are chips that work on the periphery

In computer language, glial cells are logic gates

Analogies aside, glial is more important than scientists previously understood in ensuring that things run smoothly or sound good

Gulbransen said: "This is a future approach, but now we can start to ask if there is a way to target a specific type or group of glial cells and change their function in some way

Earlier this year, Gulbransen's research team discovered that glial can open up new avenues for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

"At present, the cause is not clear

DOI

10.

Subject of research

people

Article title

Circuit-specific enteric glia regulate intestinal motor neurocircuits