Neurodegeneration in the enteric nervous system

Summary This project investigates the consequences of the loss of neuronal populations and neuroinflammation in the enteric nervous system from mouse models of neurodegeneration (prion disease, Parkinson’s disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and exploring diagnostic paradigms utilising tissues from the gastrointestinal tract.

Project Details

The enteric nervous system controls the function of the gastrointestinal tract and depends on extrinsic innervation arising from the brain and spinal cord, and intrinsic innervation derived from neurons within the neuronal plexus of the gastrointestinal tract. Recent studies suggest that neurons and glial cells of the enteric nervous system are vulnerable to the degeneration that is observed in the neurons and glial cells of the central nervous system (Albanese et al 2008, Lawson et al 2010, Ellet et al 2016). We are interested in parallels in disease (pathology and pathogenesis) observed in the enteric and central nervous system in neurodegeneration, and the potential for neurodegeneration to originate in the enteric nervous system. This project investigates the consequences of the loss of neuronal populations and neuroinflammation in the enteric nervous system from mouse models of neurodegeneration (prion disease, Parkinson’s disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and exploring diagnostic pa​radigms utilising tissues from the gastrointestinal tract.