Chronic constipation: No more idiopathic, but a true neuropathological entity

Chronic constipation is still considered a functional or idiopathic disorder. However, in recent years there is evidence that its pathopysiological grounds may be actually due to a complex system of abnormalities of the enteric nervous system of these patients. In particular, as reported in this review, the enteric glial cells seem to be constantly involved in constipated patients, suggesting that (at least some forms of) constipation should be considered as true neuro-gliopathies. © 2011 RIGLD, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases.