Forschungseinheit für Translationale Neurogastroenterologie
Research Unit of Translational Neurogastroenterology

Head:
Peter Holzer, Ph.D., Professor

Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology
Medical University of Graz
Universitätsplatz 4
A-8010 Graz, Austria

Tel.: +43 (316) 380-4500
Fax: +43 (316) 380-9645
e-mail
web page
ISI HighlyCited

 

News:
Beitrag ORF: Gefühle entstehen im Bauch
Der Darm ist nicht nur ein Verdauungsorgan, sondern auch ein wichtiger Teil unseres Immunsystems. Forscher der Meduni Graz fanden heraus, dass der Darm sogar unsere Gefühle maßgeblich bestimmen kann.... [mehr]
The Masters Award 2006 for Basic Sciences in Digestive Sciences of the American Gastroenterological Association was awarded to Professor Peter Holzer of the Department for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology of the Medical University Graz. The award ceremony took place on 22 May 2006 in the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, CA. (see also article in Medical Tribune)
 
Award of the Great Decoration for Service to the Republic of Austria (Großes Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Republik Österreich) to Professor Peter Holzer by the Federal President of the Republic of Austria. The award ceremony was given by the Rector of the Medical University of Graz, Professor Gerhard F. Walter, on 18 April 2006 (see Med. Univ. Graz > Aktuelles). Photographs by David Reischl.
 
Award of the Research Prizes 2005 of INGE St. (Initiative on Brain Research in Styria, Initiative Gehirnforschung Steiermark) to Mag. Evelin Painsipp and Dr. Christoph K. Thöringer. The INGE St. Research Prize 2005 for the best Master's Thesis was awarded to Mag. Evelin Painsipp for her work on "Gastritis and Anxiety", and one of two INGE St. Research Prizes 2005 for the best Doctoral Thesis was given to Dr. Christoph K. Thöringer for his work on "Anxiety Disorders: Animal Models and Human Genetics". The award ceremony was given by the President of INGE St., Professor Christa Neuper, on 3 May 2006. The photograph, taken by P. Holzer, shows from the right Christoph K. Thöringer, Evelin Painsipp and Christa Neuper. (http://www.gehirnforschung.at)
 
Mission:
Neurogastroenterology is a discipline that explores neural dysfunction as a possible cause of digestive diseases. A major concept of neurogastroenterology holds that functional bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome arise from disturbances in the bidirectional communication between gut and brain.

Neurogastroenterology is a research field that combines the scientific techniques and implications of neuroscience, neuropharmacology and gastroenterology. This interdisciplinary approach is in keeping with the holistic (biopsychosocial) mission pursued by the Medical University of Graz.

The research efforts of the Unit are governed by a translational perspective. Central to this approach are the establishment of experimental disease models that exhibit face, construct and predictive validity and the identification of novel molecular targets for the efficacious and safe therapy of neurogastroenterological diseases.

Leitbild:
Neurogastroenterologie ist ein Fachgebiet, das Krankheiten des Verdauungstrakts unter dem Gesichtspunkt einer neuralen Fehlsteuerung definiert. Eine Zentralhypothese besagt, dass viele funktionelle Verdauungsbeschwerden wie das Reizdarmsyndrom durch eine Störung der wechselseitigen Kommunikation zwischen Verdauungstrakt und Gehirn bedingt sind.

Neurogastroenterologie vereinigt in sich die methodischen Ansätze und klinischen Implikationen der Neurowissenschaften, der Neuropharmakologie und der Gastroenterologie. In dieser interdisziplinären Zielsetzung trägt das neue Forschungsfeld dem biopsychosozialen Modell der Medizinischen Universität Graz besondere Rechnung.

In der wissenschaftlichen Arbeit der Forschungseinheit wird der translationale Forschungsansatz besonders betont. Durch die Etablierung und Validierung experimenteller Krankeitsmodelle werden die Ursachen neurogastroenterologischer Krankheitsbilder aufgeklärt und molekulare Angriffspunkte für eine gezielte Therapie identifiziert.

Members:
Margit Eichholzer, Ing.
Tel.: +43 (316) 380-4507
e-mail

Martin Köfer, M.D.
Tel.: +43 (316) 380-4311
e-mail

Martina Mitrovic, Mag.pharm. (Ph.D. student)
Current address: JWS Research, Graz

Evelin Painsipp, M.Sc. (Ph.D. student)
Tel.: +43 (316) 380-4311
e-mail

Florian Reichmann, M.D. (Dr.sci.med. student)
e-mail

Cooperating Members:
Simone Tischler, DMTA (member of the research team of Professor Sonja Fruhwald, M.D., Clinical Department of Anaesthesiology for Cardiac and Vascular Surgery and Intensive Care, Medical University of Graz)
Tel.: +43 (316) 385-17420
e-mail

Eva Tatzl, DMTA (member of the research team of Professor Sonja Fruhwald, M.D., Clinical Department of Anaesthesiology for Cardiac and Vascular Surgery and Intensive Care, Medical University of Graz
Tel.: +43 (316) 385-80042
e-mail

Previous Members:
Martin Edelsbrunner, M.D.
e-mail

Tamás Garay, M.Sc.

Anaid Shahbazian, Ph.D. (founding member)

Christoph K. Thöringer, M.D. (founding member)
Current address: Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, München, Germany
e-mail

Thomas Wultsch, M.Sc. Ph.D. (founding member)
Current address: Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Germany
e-mail

Research topics:
General:

The major research areas of the Unit comprise neuropharmacology, gastrointestinal (GI) pharmacology and experimental neurogastroenterology. Specifically, the work focuses on

  1. the function of enteric neurons, primary afferent neurons and their messengers in the regulation of GI motility, circulation, inflammation and sensation,
  2. the development and pharmacological characterization of experimental models with which these functions can be investigated, and
  3. the discovery of new molecular targets for therapeutic exploitation.
These studies are of relevance to the understanding and treatment of functional motor disturbances (adaptive relaxation of the stomach, gastroparesis, ileus, constipation), GI circulation under conditions of acid backdiffusion, inflammation, ulceration and drug treatment (stomach and colon), mucosal protection from injurious insults (stomach and colon) and abdominal sensation and pain (functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome).

Gastrointestinal neuropeptides:

The Unit has a long-standing expertise in the pharmacological actions and therapeutic implications of neuropeptides in the digestive tract (e.g., substance P and other tachykinins, calcitonin gene-related peptide, opioid peptides, endothelins, cholecystokinin, VIP/PACAP, neuropeptide Y). The role of these peptides in GI motility, GI circulation, GI mucosal protection and GI pain has been investigated in various experimental paradigms, and the relevant neuropeptide receptors (particularly tachykinin, opioid and endothelin receptors) have been characterized with selective receptor antagonists.

Enteric neuropharmacology and GI motility:

The expertise in GI neuropeptides is matched by substantial experience in the physiology and pharmacology of the enteric nervous system, particularly with regard to its control of peristalsis. Among others, the pertinent studies have addressed the role of tachykinins, nitric oxide, cyclooxygenase products as well as of selective adrenoceptor, purinoceptor and acetylcholine receptor ligands in the regulation of intestinal nerve and muscle activity. These studies also extend to the investigation of the peristaltic motor effects of drugs used in anaesthesiology and intensive care.

Sensory neuropharmacology (gut–brain and brain–gut axis):

Another focus of work is directed at the neuropharmacology of primary afferent neurons in the GI tract. These neurons control GI functions both by release of transmitters from their peripheral endings in the gut and by forming the afferent arc of autonomic and neuroendocrine reflexes whereby the central nervous system modulates gut activity. In addition, these neurons play a prime role in GI sensation and pain. An important line of research is therefore directed at identifying selective targets on primary afferent neurons, which can be exploited for the development of novel therapies for functional bowel disorders. These targets include the multimodal nociceptor TRPV1, acid-sensing ion channels, purinoceptors and sensory neuron-specific sodium and potassium channels.

Immune–nerve interactions:

GI hypersensitivity which is seen in functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be initiated by infection and inflammation through interaction of immune mediators with primary afferent neurons. Vagal afferent neurons appear to be specifically susceptible to cytokines, and the regulation of afferent nerve excitability by these immune mediators is a particular field of interest. Regulation of vagal afferent sensitivity by cytokines may be an important factor in abdominal nociception, particularly in dyspepsia.

Mucosal circulation and homeostasis:

Sensory neurons (such as those sensitive to acid and to mediators released during inflammation and trauma) serve an important protective function by enhancing mucosal blood flow when the integrity of the GI mucosa is threatened by injurious stimuli. This applies not only to the upper (oesophagus, stomach and duodenum) but also to the lower gut (colon). The pertinent studies have revealed that there is an intricate neural system of acid protection in the stomach which, when activated by acid backdiffusion, increases mucosal blood flow, enhances fluid, mucus and bicarbonate secretion, stops gastric emptying and, via vagal afferent signals, activates nuclei in the brain involved in autonomic, neuroendocrine and emotional-affective reactions.

Mucosal circulation in the irritable and inflamed colon:

IBS patients are two- to four-fold more likely to develop ischaemic colitis than healthy subjects in whom this vascular failure is extremely rare. In addition, some newly developed therapeutics (such as the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist alosetron) appear to enhance the risk of ischaemic colitis in IBS patients. The reasons for this problem which hampers the development of new IBS drugs are not known. Ongoing studies investigate how the mucosal circulation of the GI tract behaves under conditions of hypersensitivity and inflammation and in which way drug candidates affect the splanchnic circulation in health and disease.

Experimental models of chronic gastrointestinal pain:

There is a strong need to establish new paradigms for evaluating chronic GI pain and the associated disturbances in the peripheral and central nervous system. The traditional approach to quantify acute pain-evoked behaviour (pain responses elicited by acute noxious stimuli) is inadequate in this context, because chronic visceral pain reflects spontaneous pain rather than evoked pain. Appropriate assessment of chronic GI pain calls for the validation of a behavioural, functional and neurochemical test battery in which multiple facets of the chronic pain behaviour are assessed.

Links between gastrointestinal dysfunction and affective disturbances:

Typical traits of functional bowel disorders include GI hyperalgesia and pain, a significant comorbidity with anxiety and other psychiatric disorders, and the ability of psychic stress to trigger or exacerbate the symptoms of IBS. In developing efficacious and safe drugs for functional bowel disorders it is important to establish experimental paradigms that model relevant aspects of the disease and allow for the quantitative testing of drug candidates. Current efforts address the experimental modelling of the GI pain – GI inflammation – stress – mood connection and seek to understand the underlying immunological, neural and neuroendocrine mechanisms.

Publications:
Key publications:
Publications most relevant to the achievements of the Research Unit:

27. Painsipp E, Herzog H, Holzer P (2009) Evidence from knockout mice that neuropeptide-Y Y2 and Y4 receptor signaling prevents long-term depression-like behavior caused by immune challenge. J Psychopharmacol (in press)

26. Holzer P (2009) Opioid receptors in the gastrointestinal tract. Regul Pept 155:11-17

25. Holzer P (2008) Acid-sensitive ion channels and receptors. Handb Exp Pharmacol 194:283-332

24. Holzer P (2008) The pharmacological challenge to tame the transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) nocisensor. Br J Pharmacol 155:1145-1162

23. Holzer P, Holzer-Petsche U (2008) Emerging/novel pharmacological therapies. In: Giamberardino MA (ed) Visceral Pain Pocketbook. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 51-61

22. Painsipp E, Herzog H, Holzer P (2008) Implication of neuropeptide-Y Y2 receptors in the effects of immune stress on emotional, locomotor and social behavior of mice. Neuropharmacology 55: 117-126

21. Holzer P (2008) TRPV1: a new target for treatment of visceral pain in IBS? Gut 57: 882-884

20. Wultsch T, Painsipp E, Shahbazian A, Mitrovic M, Edelsbrunner M, Waldmann R, Lazdunski M, Holzer P (2008) Deletion of the acid-sensing ion channel ASIC3 prevents gastritis-induced acid hyperresponsiveness of the stomach-brainstem axis. Pain 134: 245-253

19. Herbert MK, Holzer P (2008) Standardized concept for the treatment of gastrointestinal dysmotility in critically ill patients - Current status and future options. Clin Nutrition 27: 25-41

18. Painsipp E, Wultsch T, Shahbazian A, Edelsbrunner M, Kreissl MC, Schirbel A, Bock E, Pabst MA, Thoeringer CK, Huber HP, Holzer P (2007) Experimental gastritis in mice enhances anxiety in a gender-related manner. Neuroscience 150: 522-536

17. Holzer P (2007) Role of visceral afferent neurons in mucosal inflammation and defense. Curr Opin Pharmacol 7: 563-569

16. Holzer P (2007) Taste receptors in the gastrointestinal tract. V. Acid sensing in the gastrointestinal tract. Am J Physiol 292: G699-G705

15. Holzer P (2007) Treatment of opioid-induced gut dysfunction. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 16: 181-194

14. Holzer P (2007) Treating visceral pain via molecular targets on afferent neurons: current and future. In: Pasricha PJ, Willis WD, Gebhart GF (eds) Chronic Abdominal and Visceral Pain: Theory and Practice. New York: Informa Healthcare, 245-269

13. Holzer P (2006) Substance P in the gastrointestinal tract. In: Kastin AJ (ed) Handbook of Biologically Active Peptides. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1139-1145

12. Holzer P (2006) Neural regulation of gastrointestinal blood flow. In: Johnson LR (ed) Physiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract, Fourth Edition. San Diego: Elsevier, 817-839

11. Holzer P (2004) Role of tachykinins in the gastrointestinal tract. In: Holzer P (ed) Tachykinins. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, Volume 164. Berlin: Springer, 511-558 [pdf]

10. Holzer P (2004) TRPV1 and the gut: from a tasty receptor for a painful vanilloid to a key player in hyperalgesia. Eur J Pharmacol 500:231-241 [pdf]

9. Holzer P (2004) Opioids and opioid receptors in the enteric nervous system: from a problem in opioid analgesia to a possible new prokinetic therapy in humans. Neurosci Lett 361:192-195 [pdf]

8. Holzer P (2004) Gastrointestinal pain in functional bowel disorders: sensory neurons as novel drug targets. Expert Opin Ther Targets 8:107-123 [pdf]

7. Holzer P (2003) Acid-sensitive ion channels in gastrointestinal function. Curr Opin Pharmacol 3:618-625 [pdf]

6. Holzer P (2002) Sensory neuron responses to mucosal noxae in the upper gut: relevance to mucosal integrity and gastrointestinal pain. Neurogastroenterol Motil 14:459-475 [pdf]

5. Holzer P, Schicho R, Holzer-Petsche U, Lippe IT (2001) The gut as a neurological organ. Wien Klin Wochenschr 113:647-660 [pdf]

4. Holzer P (1998) Implications of tachykinins and calcitonin gene-related peptide in inflammatory bowel disease. Digestion 59:269-283 [pdf]

3. Holzer P, Maggi CA (1998) Dissociation of dorsal root ganglion neurons into afferent and efferent-like neurons. Neuroscience 86:389-398 [pdf]

2. Holzer P (1998) Neural emergency system in the stomach. Gastroenterology 114:823-839 [pdf]

1. Holzer P (1998) Neurogenic vasodilatation and plasma leakage in the skin. Gen Pharmacol 30:5-11 [pdf]

Research techniques and models:
  1. Computerized recording of blood flow and vascular conductance in the gastric and colonic mucosa by the hydrogen gas clearance technique and by Laser Doppler flowmetry
  2. Computerized recording of blood flow and vascular conductance in the left gastric artery and superior mesenteric artery by the ultrasonic shift technique (TransonicR system)
  3. Measurement of gastrointestinal mucosal lesions by computerized planimetry and histology
  4. Experimental model of gastric acid backdiffusion with relevance to several acid-related diseases and functional disturbances in the upper gut
  5. Measurement of gastric emptying in vivo
  6. Computerized measurement of gastric and intestinal wall compliance with a barostat and analysis of the pressure/volume relationships under various distension protocols
  7. Computerized recording of gastrointestinal peristalsis in vitro and analysis of the peristaltic pressure threshold, maximal acceleration and amplitude of the peristaltic waves and residual baseline pressure
  8. Isometric and isotonic recording of gastrointestinal smooth muscle contraction and relaxation by standard organ bath techniques
  9. Intragastric and intracolonic administration of substances for pharmacological investigations
  10. Capsaicin as an experimental tool to manipulate the activity of primary afferent nociceptive neurons
  11. Experimental model of gastric nociception in response to gastric acid backdiffusion with relevance to dyspepsia
  12. Functional neuroanatomy by visualization of neuronal activation in the peripheral and central nervous system through expression of the early-immediate gene c-fos
  13. Visualization of c-fos mRNA expression by in situ hybridization autoradiography with oligo-DNA probes
  14. Visualization of c-fos expression by ABC and fluorescence immunohistochemistry of the c-Fos protein
  15. ABC and fluorescence mono- and double-immunohistochemistry for a variety of neuronal transmitters and markers
  16. Quantitative PCR analysis of neuronal marker mRNA
  17. Quantitative Western blot analysis of signalling molecules
  18. ELISA determination of signalling molecules (substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide, corticosterone, cytokines)
  19. Behavioural analysis of chronic pain, anxiety, depression and stress reactions
  20. Microdialysis study of the release of signalling molecules in the brain
Cooperations:
  • Department of Gastroenterology, University of Antwerp, Belgium (Prof. B.Y. De Winter, Prof. P.A. Pelckmans)
  • Section of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Hope Hospital, University of Manchester, Salford, UK (Dr. A.R. Hobson, Prof. Q. Aziz)
  • Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich Germany (Dr. C.K. Thoeringer)
  • Neurobiology Research Programme, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia (Prof. H. Herzog)
  • Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Graz (Prof. H. Metzler and Prof. S. Fruhwald)
  • Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz (Prof. H.F. Hammer and Prof. M. Trauner)
  • Department of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Graz (Prof. M.A. Pabst)
  • Department of Internal Medicine IV, Medical University of Vienna (Prof. J. Hammer)
  • Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck (Prof. G. Sperk)
  • Department of Pharmacy, University of Innsbruck (Prof. H. Schmidhammer and Prof. N. Singewald)
  • Department of Anesthesiology, University of Würzburg, Germany (Prof. M.K. Herbert)
  • Department of Physiology and Experimental Pathophysiology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (Prof. P.W. Reeh)
  • Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Nice, France (Dr. R. Waldmann)
  • Novartis, GI Research, Basel, Switzerland (Dr. H.J. Pfannkuche and Dr. E. Weber)
  • GlaxoSmithKline, Research and Development, Neurology-GI CEDD, Harlow, United Kingdom (Dr. J.B. Davis)
  • Department of Human Biology, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Prof. M. Schemann)
  • Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Pecs, Hungary (Prof. L. Barthó)
  • Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (Prof. K. Gyires)
  • Department of Gastroenterology, University of Barcelona, Spain (Prof. J.M. Piqué)
  • Center for Ulcer Research and Education, University of California, Los Angeles, United States of America (Prof. Y. Taché and Prof. P.H. Guth)
  • Department of Pharmacology, Menarini Pharmaceuticals, Florence, Italy (Dr. R. Patacchini and Dr. C.A. Maggi)
  • Department of Biological Research, Boehringer Ingelheim, Biberach, Germany (Dr. W. Wienen and Dr. H.N. Doods)
  • Xenova Limited, Slough, Berkshire, UK (Dr. David Norris)
Research projects:
Listing of research projects relevant to the foundation of the Research Unit:

  • Physiology and pathophysiology of peptidergic neurons in the control of gastric mucosal blood flow and protection and in the control of gastrointestinal motor activity (FWF Austrian Scientific Research Foundation, 1990-1993)
  • Neural control of gastrointestinal circulation (Jubilee Funds of the Austrian National Bank, 1992-1993)
  • Vascular regulation by peptidergic neurons (FWF Austrian Scientific Research Foundation, 1993-1996)
  • Role of neuropeptides in irritative disturbances of intestinal motility (Austrian-Hungarian Foundation, 1994-1995)
  • Inflammation and neuropeptide expression in nociceptive afferent neurons (Jubilee Funds of the Austrian National Bank, 1994-1995)
  • Effect of BIBN 8027 on c-fos mRNA expression in the rat dorsal spinal cord in response to intraplantar formalin (Thomae, Germany, 1995)
  • Effect of angiotensin II, telmisartan, BIBS 314KA2, lisinopril and prazosin on gastric mucosal blood flow in the anaesthetized rat (Thomae, Germany, 1995-1997)
  • Molecular biology of visceral nociception (Jubilee Funds of the Austrian National Bank, 1997-1998)
  • Effect of a tachykinin receptor antagonist on gastric nociception (Merck Sharp & Dohme, United Kingdom, 1997-1998)
  • Functional and phenotypic plasticity of sensory neuropeptide systems in visceral injury and inflammation (FWF Austrian Scientific Research Foundation, 1997-2001)
  • Effect of dexketoprofen on gastric acid injury (Menarini, Spain, 1998-2000)
  • Effect of MED15 on mucosal blood flow and acid-induced gastric mucosal injury (Medosan, Italy, 2000)
  • Effect of BIIA 1260CL on the afferent signalling of gastric acid challenge and intestinal peristalsis (Boehringer Ingelheim, Germany, 2000-2001)
  • Development and validation of a method for studying peristalsis on multiple segments of the guinea-pig isolated small intestine: replacement of animal experiments and saving of animal lives through refined in vitro methodology (Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of the Republic of Austria, 2000-2003)
  • Neuropharmacology of dyspepsia (FWF Austrian Scientific Research Foundation, 2000-2004)
  • Neuroimmunology of gastric mucosal disease: immune system - sensory neuron interaction as a clue for dyspepsia? (Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of the Republic of Austria, 2000-2006)
  • Mechanisms of perception during jejunal capsaicin perfusion (FWF Austrian Scientific Research Foundation, 2001-2002)
  • Effect of tegaserod on colonic circulation (Novartis, Switzerland, 2001-2004)
  • Gene knockout approach to the neuropharmacology of dyspepsia (Jubilee Funds of the Austrian National Bank, 2003-2005)
  • The gastrointestinal nervous system as novel therapeutic target in functional bowel disorders (Zukunftsfonds Steiermark, 2003-2009)
  • Translational neurogastroenterology (FWF Austrian Scientific Research Foundation, 2005-2008)
  • Links between visceral dysfunction and affective disorders (European Science Foundation, 2005-2006)
  • Receptor-mediated gastric mucosal protection: new approach to stimulation of gastric mucosal defence (Hungarian-Austrian Intergovernmental S&T Cooperation Programme, 2006-2007)
  • Effect of lafutidine on gastric acid-evoked c-Fos expression in the rat brainstem (Taiho, Japan, 2007)
  • Effect of YKP10811 on nerve-muscle preparations of the guinea-pig small intestine (SK Life Science, USA, 2008)
  • Investigation of the effect of lafutidine to facilitate acid elimination in the normal and inflamed rat stomach (Taiho, Japan, 2008-2009)
  • Effect of environmental enrichment on emotional behaviour and the gut-brain axis in mice (Federal Ministry of Science and Research of the Republic of Austria, 2008-2010)
M.Sc. and Ph.D. theses:
Listing of thesis projects relevant to the foundation of the Research Unit:
  • Christof Wachter: Mechanisms of visceral vasodilatation and somatic vasoconstriction following gastric acid backdiffusion (Mag. rer. nat. in Biology and Pharmacology, 1993)
  • Christof Wachter: Pathophysiology of acid-induced gastric mucosal lesions: histologic characterization, vascular reactions and their mediators (Dr. rer. nat. in Biology and Pharmacology, 1996)
  • Thomas Michl: Vagal afferent mechanisms in gastric nociception (Dr. rer. nat. in Biology and Pharmacology, 2001)
  • Brigitte Pohn: Neuropharmacology of intestinal peristalsis: effects of opiates and catecholamines (Mag. rer. nat. in Microbiology and Pharmacology, 2002)
  • Anaid Shahbazian: Physiological and pharmacological regulation of intestinal peristalsis: the role of opioids and cyclooxygenase products (Dr. rer. nat. in Biology and Pharmacology, 2002)
  • Thomas Wultsch: Experimental dyspepsia in neuropeptide-Y Y2 knockout mice (Mag. rer. nat. in Biology and Pharmacology, 2003)
  • Marion Danzer: Neuropharmacology of gastric nociception (Dr. rer. nat. in Biology and Pharmacology, 2003)
  • Markus Römer: Facilitation of gastric accommodation by repeated gastric distension (Mag. rer. nat. in Biology and Pharmacology, 2004)
  • Evelin Painsipp: Gastritis and anxiety (Mag. rer. nat. in Psychology and Neuropsychopharmacology, 2005)
  • Christoph K. Thöringer: Anxiety disorders: animal models and human genetics (Dr. med. univ., 2005)
  • Thomas Wultsch: Gene knockout approach to the neuropharmacology of dyspepsia (Dr. rer.nat., 2005)
  • Martina Mitrovic: Translational neurogastroenterology: peripheral mechanisms of gastrointestinal hypersensitivity (Dr. rer. nat. in Pharmacology, –2008)
  • Martin Edelsbrunner: Translational neurogastroenterology: brain mechanisms of gastrointestinal hypersensitivity (Dr. med. sci., –2008)
  • Evelin Painsipp: Behavioural and neurochemical mechanisms of mood disturbances in gastrointestinal hypersensitivity (Dr. rer. nat. in Psychology and Neuropsychopharmacology, –2008)
Advisory services to the pharmaceutical industry:
  • 1995 CGRP receptor antagonists as novel migraine therapeutics (Boehringer Ingelheim, Biberach, Germany)
  • 1999 The enteric nervous system as target for new drugs (AstraZeneca, Sweden)
  • 2000 Novel drug targets for the therapy of functional bowel diseases (ISO Health Group, United States of America)
  • 2001 Potential of substance P antagonists in the therapy of the irritable bowel syndrome (TAP Pharmaceuticals, United States of America)
  • 2001 Novel drug targets for the therapy of functional bowel diseases (Novartis, United Kingdom)
  • 2001 Lafutidine in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease (Taiho Pharmaceuticals, Japan)
  • 2001 Safety of dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors with regard to their interaction with substance P (Novartis, Switzerland)
  • 2001 Opiates and gastrointestinal adverse effect profile (Lannacher, Austria)
  • 2002 Tachykinin antagonists in functional bowel disorders (AstraZeneca, Sweden)
  • 2002 New drug targets for analgesia and functional bowel disorders (McKinsey, New York, United States of America)
  • 2002 Gut feelings and movements (Solvay, Germany)
  • 2003 Advisory Board on SLV 317 in IBD (Solvay, Germany)
  • 2004 Therapeutic approaches for treating IBS (Altana Pharma, Germany)
  • 2004 Clinical safety of DPP-4 inhibitors (Novartis, Switzerland)
  • 2004 Novel therapeutic indications for lafutidine (Taiho Pharmaceuticals, Japan)
  • 2006 Tachykinin antagonists in functional bowel disorders (AstraZeneca, Sweden)
  • 2007 Methylnaltrexone for opioid-induced constipation and post-operative ileus (Gerson Lehman Group, Texas, USA)
  • 2008 Potential of YKP10811 as a prokinetic drug (SK Life Science, USA)
Organisation of scientific conferences:
Listing of conferences relevant to the foundation of the Research Unit

  • International Symposium on Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide under the auspices of the New York Academy of Sciences, Graz, Austria, July 1991
  • Basic Neuroscience and Neurochemistry, Austrian-Hungarian Joint Meeting, Sopron, Hungary, September 1993
  • Symposium on "The Enteric Nervous System" at the 17th Annual Meeting of the European Neuroscience Association, Vienna, Austria, September 1994
  • Annual Meeting of the Austrian Neuroscience Association, Graz, Austria, September 1995
  • Symposium on "Gastrointestinal Neuropeptides and Neurotransmitters in Health and Disease" at the Sixth Annual Meeting of the European Neuropeptide Club: Neuropeptides in Pain, Inflammation and Regulation, Pecs, Hungary, June 1996
  • Symposium on "Neuropeptides in Visceral Afferents" at the Joint Meeting of the European Neuropeptide Club Winter Discussion and the Winter Neuropeptide Conference (United States of America) on Neuropeptides in Sensory Systems, Kitzbühel, Austria, January 1997
  • Seventh Scientific Meeting of the Austrian Pain Society, Graz, Austria, April 1998
  • International Symposium on Problems of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Anaesthesia, the Perioperative Period, and Intensive Care, Wuerzburg, Germany, October 1998
  • Symposium on Neurogastroenterology as an Emerging Field for Gastrointestinal Pharmacotherapy at the Third Meeting of the Federation of the European Pharmacological Societies (EPHAR), Lyon, France, July 2001
  • Annual Meeting of the Austrian Neuroscience Association, Seggau, Austria, September 2001
  • Fifth Forum of European Neuroscience, Vienna, Austria, July 2006
  • Exploratory Workshop of the European Science Foundation on "Links between Visceral Dysfunction and Affective Disorders", Graz, Austria, September 2006
  • International Symposium on "Gastrointestinal Motility: from Physiology to Therapy", Rome, Italy, September 2007
  • Falk Symposium 170 on "IBD and IBS: Novel Mechanisms and Future Practice", Glasgow, UK, September 2009

10.11.2009