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CCMN Lecture Series: Professor Amanda Page, University of Adelaide
30 November 2023, 1:00 pm–2:00 pm
Title: ‘Gastrointestinal Vagal Afferent Plasticity in Health and Disease’
This event is free.
Event Information
Open to
- All
Availability
- Yes
Cost
- Free
Organiser
-
Charlette Bent-Gayle
Location
-
Cruciform, Lecture Theatre 2Cruciform BuildingGower StreetLondonWC1E 6BTUnited Kingdom
Abstract: Vagal afferents are an important conduit linking peripheral tissue with the central nervous system (CNS). There is an abundance of vagal afferent endings present within the gastrointestinal tract, responsible for monitoring and controlling gastric function, as well as mood and food intake regulation. These vagal afferents display a remarkable degree of plasticity, in response to endogenous as well as exogenous stimuli, finely controlling food intake in line with energy requirements. In normal physiological conditions this plasticity is vital in maintaining healthy processes and energy homeostasis, however, this plasticity is disrupted 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. Improved understanding of how vagal afferent plasticity occurs will provide new avenues for treatment of diseases, such as obesity.
About the Speaker
Professor Amanda Page
Professor at School of Bioscience, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, at University of Adelaide
Professor Amanda Page has established herself as a leading authority on vagal innervation of the gut, and how this relates to major disease states including obesity and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. This has involved pioneering studies on the phenotypic specialisation of vagal sensory endings and a classification of gastrointestinal sensory nerves that has been adopted world-wide. One of her major findings, that GABAB receptor agonists inhibit peripheral gastro-oesophageal vagal afferent endings, prompted 2 full scale drug development programs and the production of 5 patents. Investigation of the effects of different nutritional states (for example: food restriction and excess) on these afferents has resulted in major contributions in the understanding of gastric satiety signalling.
More about Professor Amanda Page