Michelle Southard-Smith

Michelle Southard-Smith, PhD, and graduate student Joseph Benthal. (photo by Susan Urmy)

Clues offer new hope for treating GI tract disorders

Hirschsprung disease is a congenital disorder that occurs in approximately 1 in 5,000 babies. Caused by a lack of ENS neurons in the muscles of the colon, Hirschsprung disease disrupts gut motility, resulting in bowel obstruction.