CENTRAL REGULATION OF GASTROINTESTINAL MOTILITY AND SECRETION

Gastrointestinal motility and secretions are regulated by cerebral nuclei via autonomic efferents in a coordinated fashion. At rest, vagal activity dominates while during different forms of stress the activated sympathetic nervous system markedly modulates secretions and motility. Expression of unique neuropeptides in distinct CNS regions facilitates the differentiated regulation of visceral functions. For example, corticotropin-releasing factor regulates the homeostatic pattern of visceral functions during stress. Furthermore, thyrotropin-releasing hormone accounts for parasympathetic activity while calcitonin generelated peptide predominantly accounts for sympathetic modulation of gastrointestinal motility and secretions. These neuropeptides coordinate visceral functions producing integrated motor and secretory responses that facilitate diverse digestive processes.