This volume reviews the most recent knowledge in the field of gastrointestinal motility in health and disease. The topics addressed include basic as well as clinical data concerning the motor functions of the entire gut: the lower oesophageal sphincter and the gastro-oesophageal reflux; the gastric emptying and the role of the pylorus; the motility of the biliary tract and its disorders; the cyclic motor activity of the gut and intestinal transit; the colonic and ano-rectal motility. There are also impOltant contributions in physiology and pharmacology relating to the neurohumoral regulation of the gut, and the function of digestive smooth muscle. Several papers explore the nature of the linkage between brain and gut. a link which has long been deduced by clinicians but not, until recently, systematically explored by scientists. The individual papers, selected from a large number of submissions, have been subject to 'peer-review' by an inter­ national committee which includes both cliniCians and basic scientists. Therefore this book should serve as an up to date source of information for researchers concerned with basic sciences as well as for clinicians in gastroenterology, medicine and surgery. C. Roman v This volume is dedicated to the memory of two friends and colleagues: Professor Dr J. HELLEMANS Professor Dr H. MONGES Acknowledgments This was the 9th of this series of symposia held alternatively in Europe and North America, and the first to be held in France.