Non-invasive magnetic measurement of gut motility

A non-invasive method to measure gut motility has been developed. Biomagnetic measurements of the movement of the gut were monitored in awake rabbits after the animals had ingested small stirring magnets. The measurements were made in an unshielded room with a flux-gate magnetometer. Frequency analysis of the signal showed peak signals at 0.054 Hz. Those signals were altered when metclopramide and atropine were injected into the animals. The technique should be applicable to human subjects, providing a convenient and inexpensive assessment of gut function.