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Postnatal Development of the Mouse Enteric Nervous System

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The Enteric Nervous System

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((ANS,volume 891))

Abstract

Owing to over three decades of research, we now have a good understanding of the genetic and molecular control of enteric nervous system (ENS) development during embryonic and prenatal stages. On the other hand, it has only just become clear that a substantial process of ENS maturation occurs after birth (Hao et al. 2013a). During postnatal stages, in addition to genetic influences, ENS development is also potentially affected by the external environment. Thus it is possible that manipulating certain environmental factors could help prevent or reduce motility disorders. However the genetic and environmental factors that regulate postnatal ENS development remain unknown. Researchers have used a variety of animal models that are easy to manipulate genetically or experimentally, and have short gestational periods, to understand the development of the ENS. Notably, due to the availability of mouse models for several human enteric neuropathies, many studies have used the mature and developing murine ENS as a model. Here, I will discuss recent advances in knowledge about postnatal development of the murine ENS, and highlight future directions for this emerging research field.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia

    Jaime Pei Pei Foong

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  1. Jaime Pei Pei Foong
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Correspondence to Jaime Pei Pei Foong .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Stuart Brierley

  2. Department of Human Physiology, School of Medicine, Flinders University,, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

    Marcello Costa

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Foong, J.P.P. (2016). Postnatal Development of the Mouse Enteric Nervous System. In: Brierley, S., Costa, M. (eds) The Enteric Nervous System. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology(), vol 891. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27592-5_13

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