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Migrating electrical spike activity in the fasting human small intestine

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Abstract

The purpose of the present investigation was to describe characteristics of migrating electrical phenomena in the human small intestine. A specially designed probe with several bipolar electrodes was placed in the upper small intestine of 5 normal, fasting volunteers for continuous registration of electrical spike potentials. A migrating myoelectric complex was observed resembling observations made previously in animal experiments. The active phase consisted of regular spike potentials propagating distally at a mean velocity of 12 cm/min, and a duration of about 5 min. In addition a, “peristaltic rush” was observed consisting of spike potentials with a high amplitude, propagating distally at a mean velocity of 2 cm/sec and a duration of about 5 sec.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, DK 2100, Blegdamsvej, Denmark

    Peter Fleckenstein MD

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  1. Peter Fleckenstein MD
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Additional information

This study was supported by Danish Research Council and grants from Frk. P.A. Brandt's Legacy.

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Fleckenstein, P. Migrating electrical spike activity in the fasting human small intestine. Digest Dis Sci 23, 769–775 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01079784

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01079784

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