New insights into neural injury, repair, and adaptation in visceral afferents and the enteric nervous system

In this brief review, we focus on some of the proposed mechanisms of injury in peripheral visceral afferents (sensory) pathways and the enteric nervou s system, including the interstitial cells of Cajal. Injury involving affer ent neurons is discussed because of the relevance of these neurons to the p athophysiology of pain syndromes, The effect of various noxious stimuli on sensory and enteric neural function is examined. Finally, we discuss recent data on the role of autoimmune antibodies in neuronal injury in systemic d iseases, such as diabetes mellitus and the Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrom e. Neither central nervous system manifestations of peripheral nerve injury nor functional bowel disorders are addressed in this review. An improved u nderstanding of the pathophysiology of peripheral neuronal dysfunction will probably result in new treatment strategies for a broad range of gastroint estinal disorders, including constipation, pseudo-obstruction, ileus, and i nflammatory bowel disorders. (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.