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The Aging Colon: The Role of Enteric Neurodegeneration in Constipation

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Abstract

Constipation is a common problem in the elderly, and abnormalities in the neural innervation of the colon play a significant role in abnormalities in colonic motility leading to delayed colonic transit. The scope of this review encompasses the latest advances to enhance our understanding of the aging colon with emphasis on enteric neurodegeneration, considered a likely cause for the development of constipation in the aging gut in animal models. Neural innervation of the colon and the effects of aging on intrinsic and extrinsic nerves innervating the colonic smooth muscle is discussed. Evidence supporting the concept that neurologic disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, not only affect the brain but also cause neurodegeneration within the enteric nervous system leading to colonic dysmotility is presented. Further research is needed to investigate the influence of aging on the gastrointestinal tract and to develop novel approaches to therapy directed at protecting the enteric nervous system from neurodegeneration.

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No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. VA Medical Center, Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA

    Brandt Wiskur & Beverley Greenwood-Van Meerveld

  2. VA Medical Center, Research Administration Room 151, 921 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA

    Beverley Greenwood-Van Meerveld

Authors
  1. Brandt Wiskur
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  2. Beverley Greenwood-Van Meerveld
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Correspondence to Beverley Greenwood-Van Meerveld.

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Wiskur, B., Greenwood-Van Meerveld, B. The Aging Colon: The Role of Enteric Neurodegeneration in Constipation. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 12, 507–512 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-010-0139-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-010-0139-7

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