MED SCI 767 / Physiology and Pathophysiology of Interstitial Cells of Cajal

3 unit(s)

J. Huizinga

The objective of the course is to give the student an in-depth understanding of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). The discovery of these cells and the major advances in the understanding of their physiology in the last 15 years has changed the field of gastrointestinal motility irreversibly. The student will view the topic form a structural, physiological and clinical point of view. The student will get a new perspective on pacemaker functions in the gastrointestinal tract and other organs and on aspects of innervations of the gut by extrinsic and intrinsic nerves. The role of ICC in gastrointestinal diseases will also be discussed.