Dissecting the Role of Subtypes of Gastrointestinal Vagal Afferents

Yoko B. Wang, Guillaume de Lartigue, Amanda J. Page

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

45 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) vagal afferents convey sensory signals from the GI tract to the brain. Numerous subtypes of GI vagal afferent have been identified but their individual roles in gut function and feeding regulation are unclear. In the past decade, technical approaches to selectively target vagal afferent subtypes and to assess their function has significantly progressed. This review examines the classification of GI vagal afferent subtypes and discusses the current available techniques to study vagal afferents. Investigating the distribution of GI vagal afferent subtypes and understanding how to access and modulate individual populations are essential to dissect their fundamental roles in the gut-brain axis.

Original languageEnglish
Article number643
JournalFrontiers in Physiology
Volume11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - 11 Jun 2020

Keywords

  • feeding behaviour
  • gastrointestinal tract
  • gut brain axis
  • molecular tools
  • vagal afferent subtypes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Physiology (medical)

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