Gastrointestinal Dysmotility in Dysautonomia - Laura Pace, MD, PhD

Dr. Laura Pace discusses the complexities of gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility associated with dysautonomia during Dysautonomia International's 7th Annual Conference. She highlights the challenges in diagnosing GI issues due to inadequate testing, emphasizing the need for comprehensive motility testing such as esophageal manometry and wireless motility capsules like the Smart Pill for accurate diagnosis. Dr. Pace addresses the interplay of neuroimmune mechanisms underlying GI dysmotility, including the possible role mast cells may play in this process. She also explores the potential connection between median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) and dysautonomia as neurogenic rather than purely vascular. Finally, she proposes that MALS may have a neuroimmunological component similar to complex regional pain syndrome, underscoring the need for interdisciplinary diagnostic approaches and management beyond conventional functional GI disorder diagnoses.