The role of central neurotransmittersystems and psychological factors in the perception and suppression of visceral pain in health.

Visceral pain is a core symptom of most functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). Pathogenetic factors may include peripheral or central sensitization; these may be driven by cognitive-affective processes and their neural substrates. FGID are characterized by chronic/recurrent abdominal pain/discomfort in the absence of an underlying structural or biochemical abnormality that explains the symptoms. Previous studies by our group, together with psychopysiological and brain imaging evidence on rectal sensation and esophageal distension, provide converging evidence for a key influence of cognitive-affective factors on gastrointestinal sensation and its central nerous system (CNS) correlates in health and disease. However, the mediating pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the close reciprocal relationship between pain and emotion-cognition remain incompletely understood, especially for visceral pain, although there is indirect evidence for the involvement of the endogenous opioid system. The general aim of the current project therefore is 1. to study the mechanisms by which cognitive-affective processes interact with gastric sensorimotor function & symptom generation in functional dyspepsia (FD) in more detailed psychophysiological studies; 2. to study the CNS correlates (inclusing brain neurotransmitter systems) of gastric sensation in health and disease in more detail, with special emphasis on the role of cognitive-affective pain modulatory processes.

Keywords:Cognitive/affective neuroscience, Visceral sensory neuroscience, Functional gastrointesinal disorders, Psychiatric disorders, Visceral pain, Functional brain imaging

Disciplines:Gastro-enterology and hepatology, Neurosciences, Biological and physiological psychology, Cognitive science and intelligent systems, Developmental psychology and ageing, Psychiatry and psychotherapy, Nursing, Other paramedical sciences, Clinical and counselling psychology, Other psychology and cognitive sciences