Mice with a recessive gene which reduces the number of ganglion cells of the distal colon and rectum and produces megacolon, imitating Hirschsprung disease, are discussed as a model for integrative control of the large intestinal smooth musculature by the enteric division of the autonomic nervous system (ie, the brain-in-the-gut). Investigative approaches, such as propulsion of artificial pellets in preparations of whole colon in organ baths in vitro and innovative approaches capitalizing on neurogenetic technologies (eg, optogenetics), are considered in view of potential application in the development of novel therapeutic mechanisms to selectively evoke and control gastrointestinal motility patterns, such as the small intestinal digestive motility pattern, interdigestive pattern, and reversed direction of powerful propulsive motility during emesis. This minireview relates to the paper titled: "Motor patterns in the proximal and distal mouse colon which underlie formation and propulsion of feces," appearing in this issue of Neurogastroenterology and Motility.
Keywords: Hirschsprung disease; autonomic nervous system; disease models; enteric nervous system; intestinal reflexes; large intestine; motility; optogenetics.
© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.