ATP Release From Gastrointestinal Epithelium: A Potential Target For The Treatment Of Slow Transient Constipation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$317,775.00
Summary
Slow transit constipation (STC) is a severe condition of the colon, almost exclusively affecting reproductive age women with no effective treatment. We recently found an association between STC and defects in connexin proteins in the large intestine. We aim to reveal the role of connexins and female hormones in the maintenance of normal intestinal function and their involvement in STC. The study will provide completely new perspectives in the understanding of the functional bowel disorders.
TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL STIMULATION TO TREAT CONSTIPATION DUE TO ANORECTAL RETENTION IN CHILDREN
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$635,320.00
Summary
If you don't poop, you die! Over 20% of older people have constipation. It starts in childhood in 1/100 people and lasts through life. At the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, we have been developing a physiotherapy method using electrical stimulation across the skin to treat long-term constipation. In this study we are comparing this treatment to current treatment in the most common type of chronic constipation in children.
Participation Of Intrinsic Sensory Neurons In The Initiation Of Colonic And Gastric Reflexes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$109,448.00
Summary
The gastrointestinal tract adjusts its digestive activity in response to the food that we eat. To do this, the bulk and chemical composition of the food and products of digestion must be sensed. In the small intestine, this sensing is by neurons in the wall on the intestine (intrinsic neurons) and by neurons with cells outside the intestine and endings in its wall (extrinsic neurons). There is evidence for there being intrinsic sensory neurons in the colon, subserving fewer functions than in the ....The gastrointestinal tract adjusts its digestive activity in response to the food that we eat. To do this, the bulk and chemical composition of the food and products of digestion must be sensed. In the small intestine, this sensing is by neurons in the wall on the intestine (intrinsic neurons) and by neurons with cells outside the intestine and endings in its wall (extrinsic neurons). There is evidence for there being intrinsic sensory neurons in the colon, subserving fewer functions than in the small intestine, but direct recordings from putative colonic intrinsic sensory neurons during sensory stimuli have not been made. The literature does not indicate whether there are intrinsic sensory neurons in the stomach. Some data suggests they may be present only in the antrum. It is important to determine whether there are intrinsic sensory neurons in the colon and stomach, which seems likely, to identify them morphologically and physiologically, and to investigate their responsiveness to physiological sensory stimuli. These data may be useful to understand the pathogenesis of functional bowel disorders, including delayed emptying in the stomach (which occurs in diabetes, for example) and slow transit constipation. Proper identification and characterisation of intrinsic sensory neurons might guide the development of therapies for disorders of colonic and gastric motility.Read moreRead less
Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation To Relieve Chronic Constipation In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$82,450.00
Summary
1 in 300 children suffer from chronic constipation that is not fixed by changing their diet or taking laxatives. They continue to suffer the problem into adulthood. They also have fecal incontinence or soiling that causes problems with socialising and schooling. We are testing a method of electrical stimulation through the skin on the belly to increase the movement of the bowel. Initial results are encouraging, showing that the rate of movement of the bowel is increased and soiling is decreased.
Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation To Relieve Chronic Constipation In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$346,995.00
Summary
We have over 300 children with chronic treatment-resistant constipation at Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. We have a new physiotherapy technique that may overcome constipation and stop soiling in many of these children. In 2003-4, we ran a pilot study to test a technique used by physiotherapists to treat urinary incontinence. We have called the method TESIC (transcutaneous electrical stimulation using interferential current). TESIC uses suction electrodes placed on the belly and back at the ....We have over 300 children with chronic treatment-resistant constipation at Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. We have a new physiotherapy technique that may overcome constipation and stop soiling in many of these children. In 2003-4, we ran a pilot study to test a technique used by physiotherapists to treat urinary incontinence. We have called the method TESIC (transcutaneous electrical stimulation using interferential current). TESIC uses suction electrodes placed on the belly and back at the level of the belly button. The electrical stimulation is applied using a current (interferential current) that stimulates deep into the abdomen. We tested 8 children and had very encouraging results with improved constipatio in 5-8 and all with soiling stopped. Parents and children are keen to use this technique but first we need to establish that the results are reproducible in a larger group of 70 children. We also need to know if the effect was just a placebo response (due to time spent with the physiotherapists), and how long the effect lasts. We will also measure changes in soiling. Faecal soiling is smelly and antisocial. Relief of soiling has a big impact on a child's ability to fit in at school and to attend normal schooling. We will measure outcomes using daily diaries kept by children, questionnaires, how quickly food moves through the bowel and pressures within the bowel. We have a multidiciplinary team of experienced clinicians and scientists with expertise in these techniques and in constipation and incontinence in children (paediatric surgeon, gastroenterologist, manometry nurse, incontinence paediatrician and physiotherapist, expert in electrical stimulation and gut nervous system scientist). This technique could revolutionise treatment of chronic constipation. Most physiotherapists have TESIC machines, allowing delivery Australia wide. It is non-invasive and should also be able to be used by adults, including the elderly in nursing homes.Read moreRead less
Gastrointestinal Sensory Function In Normal And Diseased States
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$691,026.00
Summary
Chronic pain and discomfort from the digestive system is a major health care issue world-wide. There is currently no effective treatment for these problems, which often have no apparent organic cause. Lack of treatment is due to a lack of understanding about how sensations are transmitted from the digestive system to the brain. Our research group has unique and powerful techniques that allow us to probe the basic mechanisms of sensory function, and make rapid progress towards finding drugs that ....Chronic pain and discomfort from the digestive system is a major health care issue world-wide. There is currently no effective treatment for these problems, which often have no apparent organic cause. Lack of treatment is due to a lack of understanding about how sensations are transmitted from the digestive system to the brain. Our research group has unique and powerful techniques that allow us to probe the basic mechanisms of sensory function, and make rapid progress towards finding drugs that reduce specific types of sensory signals from the gut. We shall investigate sensory mechanisms in the upper and lower regions of the gut, where symptoms are most prevalent in diseases such as non-cardiac chest pain, functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome. Six aspects of sensory nerve endings in the gut are to be investigated: 1. The grouping of endings into functional classes (similar to touch or pressure receptors in skin) 2. How endings respond to chemicals and hormones found in the gut 3. How currently available drugs may be useful in reducing sensitivity 4. The mechanisms by which inflammation affects sensitivity 5. How nerve growth factors may trigger changes in sensitivity 6. How pores or channels in nerve endings determine their functionRead moreRead less
Does Rehabilitation Increase The Functional Independence Of People With Friedreich Ataxia?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$81,811.00
Summary
Friedreich Ataxia (FRDA) is a disease which reduces the ability to walk. People decline rapidly and are usually dependent on a wheel-chair by 20-30 years of age. This research will examine the impact of changes in leg function, including strength and balance, on the capacity to walk. This research will determine if rehabilitation can improve walking ability and reduce the decline in FRDA. The results of this research will ensure people with FRDA are provided with the most appropriate care.
Development Of The GUTSTIM Device For The Treatment Of Intractable Constipation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,746.00
Summary
We have developed a new treatment for chronic constipation that uses electrical stimulation through the skin similar to physiotherapy treatments for sports injuries. 20 million people (3% of children and 20% of the elderly) have chronic constipation. This proposal is to develop a simple purpose-built machine that has the best electronic properties for stimulating the intestine. The machine will be simple, easy to use and cheap, allowing safe use at home by children and the elderly.