"The Enteric Nervous System in gut and brain disorders" 

The effects of glucocorticoids in the central nervous system are well deciphered, notably on the control of mood or memory processes (Mc Even 2007, Groeneweg 2012). In contrast, their roles in the enteric nervous system (ENS) are poorly described, yet patients without glucocorticoid hormones (by primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency) present with abdominal pain and diarrhea (Sharma ST et al, 2015). . Through the study of systemic mediators such as cortisol (in humans) and corticosterone (in mouse models), the objective of our team is to clarify the role of corticosteroids on ENS and its environment in condition physiological and pathological (irritable bowel syndrome, primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency). Under physiological conditions in rats, we have shown that glucocorticoid receptors GR are constitutively expressed by certain neurons of the ENS, and that, in parallel with an increase in corticosteronemia and intestinal permeability, stress could modulate the expression ( see figure below, unpublished data). We have an animal model that allows us to evaluate the effect of systemic stress on the ENS.