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.
Stimulant laxatives are widely used and usually very effective in the short term, but how they work is very poorly understood. Our recent work has shown that they selectively excite sensory pathways from the colon which then trigger defaecation. This points to an undiscovered mechanism that potently affects colonic sensation and motility. This is likely to be a target for new treatments for other colonic disorders such as Irritable bowel syndrome and faecal incontinence.