Abstract

The electrical and motor activity was recorded from the duodenum in 16 conscious human subjects in resting conditions. The main electrical wave form variously known as the pace-setter potential or slow wave was constantly present and periodically accompanied by a second electrical trace consisting of rapid bursts of fast waves or action potentials which were related to motor waves. Secretin and the synthetic analogue of gastrin, pentagastrin, were given in separate tests and their complementary actions on myoelectrical activity are reported. In general, secretin (in six subjects) depressed and pentagastrin (in eight subjects) enhanced motor activity and bursts of action potentials.