A Theoretical Framework for Gastric Electrophysiology: Re-framing the Gut-Brain Axis and the Gastric Slow Wave as an Analogue Gravity System

1. The Gut-Brain Axis: A Bidirectional Control System

The Gut-Brain Axis (GBA) is understood as a complex, bidirectional communication network that intrinsically links the enteric and central nervous systems. This network is not merely structural; it incorporates a web of endocrine, humoral, metabolic, and immune pathways. This system facilitates a constant, two-way flow of information: the brain, via the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the vagus nerve, modulates gut functions like motility and secretion , while the gut and its resident microbiome send signals back to the brain, influencing everything from mood to inflammation.

This modern framework establishes the GBA as a dynamic, non-linear system with multiple feedback loops. In this context, the brain acts as a central control, and the vagus nerve is a primary mediator, capable of “tuning” the physical properties and behavior of the gastrointestinal tract.

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Published by Tymmesa Lab, Nicholas P. Timms