Oral Presentation Australian & New Zealand Obesity Society 2015 Annual Scientific Meeting

The vagus in gut-brain mediated appetite regulation (#65)

Amanda Page 1
  1. University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia

Vagal afferents are a vital link between the periphery and the central nervous system. Within the proximal gastrointestinal tract vagal afferent innervation is abundant and responsible for monitoring and controlling gastric function. Whilst they are essential for maintaining homeostasis emerging literature describes remarkable plasticity of vagal afferents in response to endogenous as well as exogenous stimuli. This plasticity, for the most part, is vital in maintaining healthy processes. However, there is evidence to suggest there is disruption of vagal afferent plasticity in pathological states, such as obesity. Many of the disruptions, observed in obesity, have the potential to reduce vagal afferent satiety signalling which could ultimately perpetuate the obese state. Understanding how plasticity occurs within vagal afferents will open a whole new understanding of gut function as well as identify new treatment options for obesity.