Posted on 10/04/2021 12:18:12 PM PDT by Red Badger
A network of glial cells, the logic gates of the gut’s nervous system, are seen in this micrograph. The cells — the dark orbs enveloped in gray — have been colorized according to how they respond to a chemical signal. Credit: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci./Gulbransen Lab
========================================================================================
Revealing the Logic of the Body’s “Second Brain” Scientists discover new science in the gut and, potentially, new leads on how to treat irritable bowel syndrome and other disorders.
Researchers at Michigan State University have made a surprising discovery about the human gut’s enteric nervous system that itself is filled with surprising facts. For starters, there’s the fact that this “second brain” exists at all.
“Most people don’t even know that they have this in their guts,” said Brian Gulbransen, an MSU Foundation Professor in the College of Natural Science’s Department of Physiology.
Beyond that, the enteric nervous system is remarkably independent: Intestines could carry out many of their regular duties even if they somehow became disconnected from the central nervous system. And the number of specialized nervous system cells, namely neurons and glia, that live in a person’s gut is roughly equivalent to the number found in a cat’s brain.
Brian Gulbransen MSU Foundation Professor Brian Gulbransen. Credit: MSU
===================================================================================
“It’s like this second brain in our gut,” Gulbransen said. “It’s an extensive network of neurons and glia that line our intestines.”
Neurons are the more familiar cell type, famously conducting the nervous system’s electrical signals. Glia, on the other hand, are not electrically active, which has made it more challenging for researchers to decipher what these cells do. One of the leading theories was that glial cells provide passive support for neurons.
Gulbransen and his team have now shown that glial cells play a much more active role in the enteric nervous system. In research published online on October 1, 2021, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the Spartans revealed that glia act in a very precise way to influence the signals carried by neuronal circuits. This discovery could help pave the way for new treatments for intestinal illness that affects as much as 15% of the U.S. population.
“Thinking of this second brain as a computer, the glia are the chips working in the periphery,” Gulbransen said. “They’re an active part of the signaling network, but not like neurons. The glia are modulating or modifying the signal.”
In computing language, the glia would be the logic gates. Or, for a more musical metaphor, the glia aren’t carrying the notes played on an electric guitar, they’re the pedals and amplifiers modulating the tone and volume of those notes.
Regardless of the analogy, the glia are more integral to making sure things are running smoothly — or sounding good — than scientists previously understood. This work creates a more complete, albeit more complicated picture of how the enteric nervous system works. This also creates new opportunities to potentially treat gut disorders.
“This is a ways down the line, but now we can start to ask if there’s a way to target a specific type or set of glia and change their function in some way,” Gulbransen said. “Drug companies are already interested in this.”
Earlier this year, Gulbransen’s team found that glia could open up new ways to help treat irritable bowel syndrome, a painful condition that currently has no cure and affects 10% to 15% of Americans. Glia could also be involved in several other health conditions, including gut motility disorders, such as constipation, and a rare disorder known as chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction.
“Right now, there’s no known cause. People develop what looks like an obstruction in the gut, only there’s no physical obstruction,” Gulbransen said. “There’s just a section of their gut that stops working.”
Although he stressed that science isn’t at the point to deliver treatments for these problems, it is better equipped to probe and understand them more fully. And Gulbransen believes that MSU is going to be a central figure in developing that understanding.
“MSU has one of the best gut research groups in the world. We have this huge, diverse group of people working on all the major areas of gut science” he said. “It’s a real strength of ours.”
Reference: “Circuit-specific enteric glia regulate intestinal motor neurocircuits” by Mohammad M. Ahmadzai, Luisa Seguella and Brian D. Gulbransen, 30 September 2021, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2025938118
I’m a man, so this would be my third brain...
The old time naturalist healers always said “Life and death begins in the colon”. Overuse of antibiotics without advising people to replenish the good gut bacteria killed is criminal.
The level of communication between the intestinal lining cells, intestinal neurons, and an entire ecosystem of microbiome living cells from outside the body is as complicated and anything occuring in the brain. This communication involves the digestion, immune, circulatory, and excretory systems and has an enormous impact on overall health. For a really good but detailed explanation of these processes the book “The Secret Language of Cells” by Jon Lieff, MD is a good place to start.
There’s a heavy “data cable” (think 100gb fiber) running from the gut to the brain. Thats how much signaling is performed.
Me too. All out of control!😎
Hurry up with the drug to fix it already!
Pretty sure I heard that joke in the 60’s, regarding the body parts arguing which was most important.
One of my favorites.......................
That guy looks like the type that enjoys having his bowels irritated....
I suppose that means this “second brain” is talking through its arse.
So....that’s why so many people seem to think with their arse!
Someone is trying hard to get the grant renewed.
—”I’m a man, so this would be my third brain...”
Perhaps, but remember...
“See, the problem is that God gives men a brain and a penis, and only enough blood to run one at a time.”
― Robin Williams
Hypovolemic shock will take you down!
Thanks for posting this. I’m saving it and going to use it as a reference in my book:
It’s to be a reference representing how stupid researchers/doctors are about the gut.
Old news, folks. And if they think this will ‘cure’ IBS, don’t hold yer breath.
is this why we have the term ‘crap for brains’?
it’s gonna be a mandatory vaccine to fix it- Fauci likely working on one right now
for later
Very interesting.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.