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
Role Of Calcium Channels And Small-conductance Potassium Channels In Myenteric Neurons
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$131,717.00
Summary
This proposal will investigate the electrical properties of neurons in the wall of the intestine that control movements of the bowel. These neurons form an extensive network that runs the length of the gastrointestinal tract and control mixing and propulsion of food along the intestine. We will determine the basic electrical properties of these neurons and investigate why some of them transmit signals in a continuous manner while others transmit signals intermittently and how these patterns of a ....This proposal will investigate the electrical properties of neurons in the wall of the intestine that control movements of the bowel. These neurons form an extensive network that runs the length of the gastrointestinal tract and control mixing and propulsion of food along the intestine. We will determine the basic electrical properties of these neurons and investigate why some of them transmit signals in a continuous manner while others transmit signals intermittently and how these patterns of activity fit into the overall activity of the gut. This study will build on a large body of data obtained from our laboratory that has shown that some of these neurons act as sensors of the presence-absence of food in the intestine while others send signals to the muscle in the wall of the intestine to either relax or contract it so that the food can be processed properly. By knowing what makes these neurons different from each other we will be able to understand what goes wrong in functional bowel disorders where motility is affected, resulting in pain and discomfort.Read moreRead less
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.
The Neural Control Of Serotonin Release From Intestinal Enterochromaffin (EC) Cells
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$117,187.00
Summary
Many functional gastrointestinal problems are believed to be caused by a disruption of the normal functioning of the nerves within the wall of the gut. These nerves are believed to receive information about the contents of the intestine from a specialised class of cell lining the inside wall of the gut called the enterochromaffin cell. The enterochromaffin cell does this job by modulating the release of the transmitter serotonin. In some disorders, like the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which c ....Many functional gastrointestinal problems are believed to be caused by a disruption of the normal functioning of the nerves within the wall of the gut. These nerves are believed to receive information about the contents of the intestine from a specialised class of cell lining the inside wall of the gut called the enterochromaffin cell. The enterochromaffin cell does this job by modulating the release of the transmitter serotonin. In some disorders, like the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which can affect the upper and lower intestine, the information that serotonin carries can become confused. Thus, the control of the release of serotonin from the enteroendocrine cell is an important process to understand in health and in disease. We will investigate this release directly in isolated tissues from guinea pig small and large intestine and from human large intestine. This study will examine the role of serotonin and the modulation of its release from the enterochromaffin cell. Problems with serotonin release may underlie disease, thus, understanding how this release is controlled will provide a foundation for new and specific therapies that target channels or receptors specific to the release of serotonin. These data could help to develop therapies for gastrointestinal problems such as the IBS, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. The release of serotonin is also intimately linked with the diarrhea associated with cholera and anti-cancer treatments. The proposed study will contribute to the ongoing development of specific therapies that block serotonin receptors on the nerve terminal and will lead to new therapies that compliment existing therapies by modulating the release of serotonin.Read moreRead less
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.
Over 80 million people have chronic constipation. It affects over 1/5 older people and is a major problem in aged-care. We have found that a painless method of electrical stimulation across the abdomen can overcome chronic constipation in children and adults. We will test the method to see what types of constipation it can help, including constipation caused by pain-medication and irritable bowel syndrome. This treatment is given at home and could improve life for many people around the world.
Translational Studies Of Novel Methods For The Assessment Of Gastrointestinal Motility.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$713,517.00
Summary
Swallowing has complex physiology and swallowing problems (dysphagia) result in poor nutrition and death due to complications of aspiration. A/Prof Omari has invented a new method to assess swallowing function. The studies proposed will change how dysphagia is diagnosed and managed. The research follows three streams: (A) studies in large patient cohorts in whom a better diagnosis is needed (e.g. stroke), (B) studies of therapies and interventions and (C) studies of swallowing biomechanics.
Defining The Colonic Abnormality Underlying Severe Constipation And Evaluating The Efficacy Of A Novel Treatment Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$487,990.00
Summary
This project aims to clarify the contractile patterns of the human colon which underlie the very common and distressing condition of constipation. We will be relating symptoms of constipation from a large number of sufferers with actual measurements of contractions along the colon in these patients. Furthermore by examining the in vivo colonic motor response to electrical stimulation of pelvic floor nerves, we will help to determine the potential of this new form of treatment for constipation. T ....This project aims to clarify the contractile patterns of the human colon which underlie the very common and distressing condition of constipation. We will be relating symptoms of constipation from a large number of sufferers with actual measurements of contractions along the colon in these patients. Furthermore by examining the in vivo colonic motor response to electrical stimulation of pelvic floor nerves, we will help to determine the potential of this new form of treatment for constipation. The aims of these projects will be to try and identify abnormal motor patterns responsible for constipation as well as determining a possible inductor of normal colonic motility so that future studies can target appropriate treatment at the responsible defect.Read moreRead less
How Intestinal Motility Activates Sensory Pathways
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$555,875.00
Summary
Pain and discomfort from the gut are common and unpleasant. We understand how gut sensory nerve cells work, at the cellular, molecular and genetic level. However, movement of the gut wall and contents are the major cause of activation of sensory neurons. We know little about which particular patterns of movement cause pain. This is crucial information for accurately diagnosing human gut disorders, for monitoring effectiveness of treatments and for identifying potential new drug targets.