Prodynorphin-Expressing Gut Neurons May Drive Colonic Movement and Pain

Researchers identified prodynorphin-expressing sensory neurons in the colon's enteric nervous system that, when activated in isolated colon tissue, push fecal pellets forward, and when stimulated in living mice trigger pain-like behaviors without changing stool output. This suggests these neurons may help coordinate gut movement and internal sensing, potentially reacting to inflammation, and could relate to constipation or irritable bowel syndrome, though the findings are preclinical (bioRxiv) and not yet confirmed in humans or peer-reviewed.