About the Center for Neurointestinal Health

The Center for Neurointestinal Health at Massachusetts General Hospital combines robust scientific investigation with advanced diagnostic and therapeutic care.

The Center for Neurointestinal Health at Mass General Hospital comprises a comprehensive clinical and research effort that includes experts in pediatric and adult neurogastroenterology, outpatient clinics, state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, and an internationally recognized research laboratory that studies intestinal function in health and disease.

By coupling science and clinical care in a single program, we are able to focus our work on the most significant problems that affect patients and to include them in clinical trials arising from our research. Importantly, the Center promotes full collaboration between pediatric and adult neurointestinal specialists at Mass General Hospital, thereby enabling us to care for patients through all stages of life.

Neurointestinal diseases comprise a group of conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tract and are due to abnormalities in the nerves that supply the intestine. Those nerves are essential for the intestine to function normally. When the nerves are absent due to a congenital abnormality, or when they are damaged due to inflammation, infection, or neuronal degeneration, serious gastrointestinal diseases can occur, including Hirschsprung disease, esophageal achalasia, constipation, pseudo-obstruction, and gastroparesis to name a few.

By combining a robust scientific effort that spans basic, translational and clinical research, and a large clinical program that provides the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic care available, the Center for Neurointestinal Health is able to provide high-quality care to the many children and adults with neurointestinal diseases and to offer hope for better treatments in the future.

The Massachusetts General Hospital Advantage

Mass General is one of the few places in the world able to provide expert care for both children and adults with neurointestinal diseases, and one of the very few that performs leading-edge research in this field. Our Center combines internationally recognized investigators with clinicians who are widely regarded for their expertise. As a result, we are uniquely positioned to change the landscape of research and clinical care in neurointestinal health and to improve the lives of patients everywhere.