Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2013 Mar;182(1):1-6.
doi: 10.1007/s11845-012-0865-y. Epub 2012 Nov 22.

Bugs on the brain; brain in the gut--seeking explanations for common gastrointestinal symptoms

Affiliations
Review

Bugs on the brain; brain in the gut--seeking explanations for common gastrointestinal symptoms

E M M Quigley. Ir J Med Sci. 2013 Mar.

Abstract

Introduction: Gastrointestinal symptoms such as heartburn, indigestion (or dyspepsia), bloating, distension, constipation, abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort and diarrhoea are extremely common worldwide. For some, such symptoms can prove to be chronic and disabling.

Methods: The recent literature on irritable bowel syndrome and, in particular, work emanating form this authors research group, was reviewed.

Results: These functional symptoms commonly occur in aggregations, referred to as functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). Some of the FGIDs and, most notably irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), have achieved a degree of scientific and clinical credibility as coherent entities. Several lines of evidence ranging from gut motility to the microbiota are under investigation in attempts to explain IBS or its symptomatology.

Conclusion: Though biomarkers for IBS and other FGIDs have proven elusive, considerable progress has been made in understanding possible aetiological factors in IBS; progress which may well lead to better therapeutic strategies.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2007 Oct;5(10):1140-3 - PubMed
    1. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012 Mar 27;9(6):312-22 - PubMed
    1. Gut Microbes. 2012 May-Jun;3(3):261-6 - PubMed
    1. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012 Aug;10(8):902-9 - PubMed
    1. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2012 Oct;18(4):419-25 - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources