Brain-gut interaction as it relates to neuroanatomical and biochemical substrata using neuropharmacological, neuroanatomical, and electrophysiological methods Research Description: Experimental research is focused on understanding of the neuroanaotomical and neurochemical substrata of brain-gut interactions with special focus on the regulation of gastric and colonic secretory and motor function by brain neuropeptides. The roles of neuropeptides as they relate to central vagal regulation of GI function and stress-related changes in GI motor function is investigated using electrophysiological, neuroanatomical, molecular and pharmacological approaches. Models of psychological and viscerosensory stress using colonic distention and abdominal surgery are used to dissect the neuronal pathways and neurotransmitters altering GI function.The brain regulation of gastric mucosal resistance to injury and experimental inflammation of the colon is also investigated.