Prevalence and clinical impact of the London classification: a prospective, international, multicenter study from the Lower Gastrointestinal International Consortium (LoGIC).

Introduction: The London classification provides standardization for characterization of disorders of anorectal function, although prevalences and clinical impact of these disorders are unclear.

Methods: An international research consortium was established, including five specialist centers. Prospective data were collected in consecutive adults referred for refractory chronic constipation (CC), fecal incontinence (FI) or coexistent CC/FI over 18 months.

From the organ bath to the whole person: a review of human colonic motility.

Motor function of the colon is essential for health. Our current understanding of the mechanisms that underlie colonic motility are based upon a range of experimental techniques, including molecular biology, single cell studies, recordings from muscle strips, analysis of part or whole organ ex vivo through to in vivo human recordings. For the surgeon involved in the clinical management of colonic conditions this amounts to a formidable volume of material.

Identifying Types of Neurons in the Human Colonic Enteric Nervous System.

Distinguishing and characterising the different classes of neurons that make up a neural circuit has been a long-term goal for many neuroscientists. The enteric nervous system is a large but moderately simple part of the nervous system. Enteric neurons in laboratory animals have been extensively characterised morphologically, electrophysiologically, by projections and immunohistochemically.

The effects of loperamide on excitatory and inhibitory neuromuscular function in the human colon.

Background: In most animal species, opioids alter colonic motility via the inhibition of excitatory enteric motor neurons. The mechanisms by which opioids alter human colonic motility are unclear. The aim of this study was to describe the effects of loperamide on neuromuscular function in the human colon.