At the core of the BGA is a bidirectional network of communication between the central nervous system (CNS-brain, spinal cord) and the sensory and effector nerve complexes of the GI tract (Figure 1). The enteric nervous system (ENS) and CNS are “hard wired,” allowing for direct communication in both “bottom up” (ENS to CNS) and “top down” (CNS to ENS) fashion. In a descending fashion, the BGA allows for central regulation of bowel function and facilitates intestinal responses to emotions and cognition.
