145074 20260217205555.0 doi 10.3390/jcm13185579 sideral 139871 ART-2024-139871 eng Luesma, María José Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0003-4071-1467 Enteric Nervous System and Its Relationship with Neurological Diseases 2024 Access copy available to the general public Unrestricted The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a fundamental component of the gastrointestinal system, composed of a vast network of neurons and glial cells. It operates autonomously but is interconnected with the central nervous system (CNS) through the vagus nerve. This communication, known as the gut–brain axis, influences the bidirectional communication between the brain and the gut. Background/Objectives: This study aimed to review neurological pathologies related to the ENS. Methods: To this end, a comprehensive literature search was conducted in the “PubMed” database. Articles available in “free format” were selected, applying the filters “Humans” and limiting the search to publications from the last ten years. Results: The ENS has been linked to various neurological diseases, from autism spectrum disorder to Parkinson’s disease including neurological infection with the varicella zoster virus (VZV), even sharing pathologies with the CNS. This finding suggests that the ENS could serve as an early diagnostic marker or therapeutic target for neurological diseases. Gastrointestinal symptoms often precede CNS symptoms, and the ENS’s accessibility aids in diagnosis and treatment. Parkinson’s patients may show intestinal lesions up to twenty years before CNS symptoms, underscoring the potential for early diagnosis. However, challenges include developing standardized diagnostic protocols and the uneven distribution of dopaminergic neurons in the ENS. Continued research is needed to explore the ENS’s potential in improving disease prognosis. Conclusions: The ENS is a promising area for early diagnosis and therapeutic development. Nevertheless, it is essential to continue research in this area, especially to gain a deeper understanding of its organization, function, and regenerative capacity. info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess by https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.es 2.9 2024 MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL 65 / 332 = 0.196 2024 Q1 T1 0.919 2024 Medicine (miscellaneous) 2024 Q1 5.2 2024 info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion López-Marco, Liberto Monzón, Marta Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0002-2787-9671 Santander, Sonia Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0002-1275-2600 1003 443 Universidad de Zaragoza Dpto. Anatom.Histolog.Humanas Area Histología 1003 027 Universidad de Zaragoza Dpto. Anatom.Histolog.Humanas Area Anatom.Embriol.Humana 1012 315 Universidad de Zaragoza Dpto. Farmac.Fisiol.y Med.L.F. Área Farmacología 13, 18 (2024), 5579 [16 pp.] J. clin.med. Journal of Clinical Medicine 2077-0383 1504145 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/145074/files/texto_completo.pdf Versión publicada 2629045 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/145074/files/texto_completo.jpg?subformat=icon icon Versión publicada oai:zaguan.unizar.es:145074 articulos driver 2026-02-17-20:42:18 ARTICLE