Michael Camilleri, M.D. (Professor of Medicine and Physiology, Gastroenterology)
It is estimated that over 35 million people within the United States suffer from functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. These disorders are defined as “variable combinations of chronic or recurrent GI symptoms not explained by structural or biochemical abnormalities.” There are as many as 25 such disorders that affect approximately 1 out of every 5 people in the U.S and is the second leading cause for absenteeism in the workplace. The purpose of the Enteric Physiology core is to assist investigators in the conduct of various research studies investigating the multiple causes and possible treatments associated with functional GI disorders.
Functional imaging and endoscopy are an essential component of clinical research in the field of clinical enteric neuroscience, including physiology, pharmacology, genetic epidemiology and pharmacogenetics. The equipment used within this laboratory includes: an endoscopy-fluoroscopy suite with gastroscopes and colonoscopes; a Siemens C-arm fluoroscope; water perfused 8-channel recording system for enteric manometry; two G&J rigid piston barostats for enteric sensory testing; and four gamma cameras for gamma scintigraphy (two single-head planar imaging cameras and two dual-head cameras capable of SPECT imaging).
The laboratory is staffed by five technicians/technologists with the knowledge to perform and support a wide variety of physiologic and diagnostic testing such as: gastric, small bowel and colonic transit studies, gastric accommodation measurements, sensory and mechanical motility studies and endoscopy of the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract.