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Project

The interplay between psychological stress, increased intestinal permeability and low grade inflammation in the pathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia, are characterized by abdominal pain without an organic cause on routine examination. Although these conditions are highly prevalent, the cause is still largely unknown and the treatment options are limited. In the current project we aim to validate the BB-rat model as a suitable animal model to investigate the pathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders and ultimately to test novel treatments. In the second part of the project anti-inflammatory treatments will be tested both in the rat model and human patients since both the BB-rat and patients with functional dyspepsia show signs of low-grade inflammation in the small intestine. Finally, we will investigate the effect of psychological stress on symptom generation and inflammation in the rat model and healthy volunteers.
Date:1 Oct 2016 →  30 Sep 2018
Keywords:gastointestinal disorders
Disciplines:Gastro-enterology and hepatology