In vivo positron emission tomography imaging of decreased parasympathetic innervation in the gut of vagotomized patients

Abstract

Parasympathetic neuropathy is a key feature in many common disorders, including diabetes, neurological disorders, and cancers, but few objective methods exist for assessing damage to the parasympathetic nervous system, particularly in the gastrointestinal system. This study aimed to validate the use of 11C‐donepezil positron emission tomography (PET) to assess parasympathetic integrity in a group of vagotomized patients.