NEUROGUT - European Training in Neural Regulation of Intestinal Function

The Initial Training Network NeuroGut, consisting of experienced academic and industrial partners organized in the European Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society (ESNM), is aimed at offering young researchers excellent training opportunities in neurogastroenterology and in complementary skills in order to generate a new generation of scientists dedicated to resolving open questions.

NeuroGut is supported by the EU's 7th Framework Programme for a period of 4 years and will start on 1st February, 2014.

Neurogastroenterology - a subspecialty of gastroenterology - is a new and emerging medical/scientific subspecialty that currently has no formal training opportunities in medicine and related disciplines. It includes basic science aspects (neurophysiology, neurobiology, neuropsychology, psychophysiology) and clinical aspects (gastroenterology, neurology, internal medicine, surgery, psychology, psychosomatic medicine) of the neural control of intestinal functions (motility, secretion, absorption, immunity, sensitivity) in health and disease.

Functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are among the most frequent disorders in the general population, are associated with high psychiatric (depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue) and somatic comorbidities (back pain, headache), and account for substantial direct and indirect health care costs occurring throughout Europe.

Functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are thought to be due to disorganized "gut-brain interaction" of either afferent or efferent or both pathways in control of intestinal functions. In addition, low-grade inflammation, nutritional challenges of the local immune system, and/or post-infectious neuroplastic changes of the enteric nervous system of the gut are believed to be common pathogenetic mechanisms. Genetic contributions have been established, and psychological modulators of its clinical expression have been shown to be effective; both contribute to the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. The standards of diagnosis of functional bowel disorders are still a matter of debate, and only a few effective treatment strategies are currently available.

Scientific Coordinator

Prof. Dr. Paul Enck

Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
Department of Internal Medicine VI
Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy
Osianderstraße 5
72076 Tübingen
Germany

Phone +49 7071 29 8 9118
E-mail: paul.enck(at)uni-tuebingen.de

Project Manager

Dr. Sigrid Diether

Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
Centre for Ophthalmology
Research Management
Elfriede-Aulhorn-Straße 7
72076 Tübingen
Germany

Phone +49 7071 29 8 4018
Email: sigrid.diether(at)neurogut.eu