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Hindi Review Article
Imaging the Gastrointestinal Tract of Small Animals
Linda A. Jelicks*
Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- *Corresponding Author:
- Linda A. Jelicks
Department of Physiology & Biophysics
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx
NY 10461
USA
E-mail: linda.jelicks@einstein.yu.edu
Received date: 19 May 2010; Accepted date: 02 June 2010
Abstract
Animal models of human diseases are increasingly available and are invaluable for studies of organ pathophysiology. Megacolon, abnormal dilatation of the colon not caused by mechanical obstruction, involves the destruction of the autonomic nervous system innervating the colon. Animal models of megacolon include mouse models of Chagas disease and Hirschprung’s disease. Small animal imaging has become an important research tool and recent advances in preclinical imaging modalities have enhanced the information content available from longitudinal studies of animal models of human diseases. While numerous applications of imaging technologies have been reported to study the brain and heart of mouse models, fewer studies of the gastrointestinal system have been undertaken due to technical limitations caused by peristaltic and respiratory motion. Various imaging modalities relevant to study of the gastrointestinal tract of intact live animals are reviewed herein.
