Enteric nervous system: Neurotrophic factors

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is the most complex region of the peripheral nervous system. The roles of neurotrophic factors in the early development of the ENS are relatively well established. Less is known, however, of the involvement of neurotrophic factors in the ENS during postnatal development and maturity. Evidence demonstrates continued expression of many of these factors and their receptors in the gut throughout life, and recent data suggest they may have important roles in establishing neural circuits in the gut during postnatal development, in promoting neural function in maturity, in protecting enteric neurons in adult life and aging, and in intestinal pathophysiology