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We are an established multi-disciplinary research group encompassing gastroenterology and MRI physics. We aim to investigate gastrointestinal (GI) function, both physiological and pathological, by developing and using novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods. We have a particular interest in studying the GI response to foods and to drugs. We collaborate with academic physiologists, food scientists, surgeons, pharmaceutical scientists, sport scientists and partners from the food and pharmaceutical industries in the UK and world-wide.
Over the last 2 decades we have established MRI as a non-invasive method of quantifying key gut function parameters in both health and disease. Our main research interest is to use GI MRI to study the physiology of the GI tract. We have developed and validated a range of key parameters including gastric emptying, small bowel water content, motility of the small and large bowel, colonic volume and water content, and transit time. We use these measures to study postprandial fluid fluxes and the gastro-colonic response to feeding. We aim to develop our range of novel tests of GI function further to assess physical factors in food influencing digestion and satiety. We carry out in-body imaging of foods and beverages, define mechanisms and subtypes of functional GI disease and study the mode of action of GI targeted drugs and laxative formulations.
Using MRI to study the effect of a stimulant laxatives on gut secretions, water content and motility of both the large and small bowel
Studying structural and functional bowel abnormalities in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
Using MRI to optimise the use of viscous fibre to modify fermentation of poorly absorbed carbohydrates with the aim of reducing gastrointestinal symptoms
Using MRI to study the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis including impaired pancreatic secretions and impaired gut motility
Using MRI to assess the response to new drugs, shown to significantly improve lung function in cystic fibrosis but whose effect on the pancreas and gut is as yet unknown
Developing new MRI methods to quantify gastrointestinal pH and flow through the small bowel using multiple MRI markers, both biological and synthetic
Carrying out a meta-analysis of our database of 33 previous studies to understand the variability of measurements in order to accurately power future studies
Translating our methods to the paediatric arena
Developing a new medical device to study gut transit in paediatric constipation
Here are some of our key publications in the last five years.
Please see each group members' profiles for more publication details.
Postgraduate research in the School of Medicine
More news from the Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre
Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Resonance Centre
NDDC Biomedical Research Centre
GI_MRI@nottingham.ac.uk
The University of Nottingham School of Medicine Nottingham, NG7 2UH
email:GI_MRI@nottingham.ac.uk