Project detail Title: Neuropathy and neuroplasticity of the enteric nervous system playing a part in the ethiopathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis in the preterm piglet and neonatal rat. Duration: 01/07/2009 - 31/12/2013 Researcher(s): Principal investigator:  Van Ginneken Chris Research Team(s): Applied veterinary morphology Abstract: Approximately 10% of the low birth weight infants develop necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Symptoms of NEC such as abnormal intestinal motility, permeability and blood flow can be linked to a neuropathy of the enteric nervous system (ENS). In the preterm piglet and neonatal rat, in vivo and in vitro experiments will be used to challenge the hypothesis that a neuropathy of the ENS plays a role in the ethiopathogenesis of NEC.-