Neurohumoral observations and the gastrointestinal tract.

Vagal interrelationships with the gastric antrum have been studied in depth. A special experimental model, antroneurolysis, demonstrated that the function of the gastric mucosa is maintained after removal of central neural control, that is, vagotomy. A series of experiments are reported which demonstrate the importance of the sympathetic nervous system in the local control of gastrointestinal function. The concept of local neural control of the endocrine and secretory function of the epithelial cells of the intestinal mucosa (internal brain) is proposed.