Research in Dr Mittal’s laboratory is directed towards understanding of the physiology of esophageal motility, pathophysiology of esophageal motor disorders and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Role of longitudinal muscle in the physiology and pathophysiology of esophageal motility is being investigated using traditional and novel techniques. These studies are conducted in the human volunteers and in-vivo animals model as well as in-vitro muscle preparations. Current research projects include “role of stretch activated inhibitory pathway in the lower esophageal sphincter and esophagus” and “esophageal muscle hypertrophy in the motor disorders of the esophagus”.
Another research interest of Dr. Mittal is the anal sphincter and pelvic floor physiology. For this work, a multidisciplinary group that involves a urogynecologist, radiologist, pharmacologist, biomedical engineer and neurologist work together.
Both esophageal and pelvic floor work are funded through 2 separate NIH grants and a VA Merit grant.
Publications
Sphincter mechanisms at the lower end of the esophagus (Ravinder K. Mittal, Raj K. Goyal)
SUMMARY: Review of the anatomy and physiology of the sphincters at the esophagogastric junction and their role in preventing reflex of the gastric contents into the esophagus.
CONTEXT: ...sphincters are anatomically superimposed on each other and are anchored by the phrenoesophageal ligament. (Source: Mittal and Balaban. Copyright © 1997, Massachusetts Medical Society.) Images were obtained using a 12.5–MHz...
GI Motility online (16 May 2006) Review Full Text
Heartburn and esophageal pain (Robert Lee, Ravinder Mittal)
SUMMARY: Review of the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of heartburn and esophageal pain, and descriptions of the underlying physiology with specific reference to sensory innervation and the response
CONTEXT: ...inhibiting TLESRs should prompt randomized control trials in patients with esophageal symptoms. Acknowledgments Dr. Mittal's research is supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant RO1 DK 60733. Dr. Lee's research is...
GI Motility online (16 May 2006) Review Full Text