Premium
Esophageal multimodal stimulation and sensation
Author(s) -
Hoff Dag Arne Lihaug,
McMahon Barry,
Gregersen Hans
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/nyas.13730
Subject(s) - mechanosensation , sensation , distension , stimulation , mechanoreceptor , medicine , neuroscience , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychology , receptor , ion channel
Esophageal mechanosensation describes the relationship between a mechanical stimulation of the esophageal wall, such as bag distension, and the reaction to the stimulation perceived or unperceived. When studying mechanosensation in esophageal disease, it is important to recognize that symptoms might be due to alterations at different levels of the neuromuscular system, such as alterations at the mechanoreceptor level or in the afferent mechanosensory pathways, or irregularities in the homeostatic state. One might ask if it is possible to provoke, record, and describe the multidimensional responses behind a mechanosensory experience? It is a complex system and, at a minimum, a multidisciplinary approach is needed to avoid erroneous conclusions. The multimodal study design, taking the mode, location, and parameters of stimulation into consideration, together with controlled recording of assessment parameters, is an approach that seems rational and valid. Gastrointestinal (GI) physicians of the 21th century need to have knowledge of advances in the evaluation of GI mechanical function and what provokes symptoms. Hereby, it is possible to fully appreciate the slowly emerging awareness of how GI pain symptoms should be explored and explained to patients.