The Enteric Nervous System

Covers all aspects of the structure, function, neurochemistry, transmitter identification and development of the enteric nervous system

This book brings together extensive knowledge of the structure and cell physiology of the enteric nervous system and provides an up-to-date synthesis of the roles of the enteric nervous system in the control of motility, secretion and blood supply in the gastrointestinal tract.

It includes sections on the enteric nervous system in disease, genetic abnormalities that affect enteric nervous system function, and targets for therapy in the enteric nervous system. It also includes many newly created explanatory diagrams and illustrations of the organization of enteric nerve circuits.

This new book is ideal for gastroenterologists (including trainees/fellows), clinical physiologists and educators. It is invaluable for the many scientists in academia, research institutes and industry who have been drawn to work on the gastrointestinal innervation because of its intrinsic interest, its economic importance and its involvement in unsolved health problems. It also provides a valuable resource for undergraduate and graduate teaching.

John Furness is an expert on the enteric nervous system and its functions and has published over 300 relevant papers. In addition to his academic roles, he is a consultant in the GI drug development programs of GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis and Pfizer and has contracts with GSK and Pfizer for target identification and lead compound testing.

Relevant honours include:
Distinguished Achievement Award, Australian Neuroscience Society, 2003
Davenport Medal, American Physiological Society, 1997
Grossman Lecturer, Cambridge, 1995 (The field of the Grossman Foundation is gastroenterology)
Australian Physiological and Pharmacological Society Lecture and Medal, 1995
Distinguished Research Prize, Gastroenterological Society of Australia, 1994
Janssen Research Award, 1993 (The field of the award is gastroenterology)
Fellow, Australian Academy of Science, Elected 1989