Our lab and clinic

The Chen-Huizinga lab 

conducts translational research with Jihong Chen as a neuro-gastroenterologist and Jan Huizinga as a basic scientist. Our goal is to advance knowledge about gastrointestinal motility control systems and gastrointestinal motility disorders. We develop new methods for the diagnosis of motility disorders, including high-resolution colonic manometry, new anorectal manometry protocols and abdominal ultrasound. We have developed comprehensive protocols ot assess autonomic dysfunction. We are developing new methods of treatment involving non-invasive spinal neuromodulation to trigger and re-establish autonomic reflexes that underlie motility patterns.

A longstanding goal is to understand gut pacemaker network properties. Motor patterns of the gut are orchestrated by pacemaker cells, the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), in conjunction with intrinsic and extrinsic nerves. We discover ICC properties and dysfunction when studying rhythmic motor patterns using ultrasound and manometry.

Dr. Jihong Chen's clinic focusses on: 

Gastrointestinal motility disorders such as constipation, fecal incontinence, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (both SIBO and intestinal methanogen overgrowth) presented as postprandial bloating, irregular bowel movements and flatulence.

Non-invasive neuromodulation using TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) and LLLT (low-level laser therapy) for spinal pathology-related constipation and fecal incontinence (such as patients with scoliosis, tailbone injury, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, herniated disc, post spinal surgery, spinal injury) and post-infectious GI dysmotility.

Early diagnosis and effective management of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction and upper GI dysmotility.

Diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal autonomic nervous system dysfunction presented as chronic progressive GI dysmotility leading to emergency visits and severe abdominal symptoms. This is funded by CIHR and HAHSO.

Commonly asked questions:

Can I achieve regular spontaneous bowel movements? Likely.

Can my fecal incontinence be cured? Our goal is “0” episodes.

Is my back pain influencing my bowel function? Lower back pain leads to left colon dysmotility, which is likely reversible.

When can I see a good response? Possibly in weeks.

Do I need to modify my diet and lifestyle for GI dysmotility? Likely.

Is my autonomic dysfunction reversible? Likely.

Consulting   
1. Diagnosis and management of refractory gastrointestinal motility disorders.
2. Gastrointestinal motility technical and theoretical consultation.
3. Interpretation of complicated gastrointestinal motility tests.
4. Breath hydrogen test interpretation.

Ongoing research
1. Three clinical trials: Low-level laser therapy for constipation, fecal incontinence and complex upper GI dysmotility
2. Biomarkers of GI dysmotility in high-resolution colonic and anorectal manometry and abdominal ultrasound
3. Neurogenic and myogenic control of gastrointestinal motility
4. Gastrointestinal autonomic function assessment and monitoring
5. Non-invasive neuromodulation for refractory GI dysmotility.
6. Breath hydrogen and methane testing: pathophysiology of intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and intestinal methanogen overgrowth (IMO)