©The Author(s) 2016. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. May 6, 2016; 7(2): 320-333
Published online May 6, 2016. doi: 10.4292/wjgpt.v7.i2.320
Published online May 6, 2016. doi: 10.4292/wjgpt.v7.i2.320
Neuroimaging the brain-gut axis in patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Kristen R Weaver, LeeAnne B Sherwin, Wendy A Henderson, Digestive Disorders Unit, Biobehavioral Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
Kristen R Weaver, Gail D’Eramo Melkus, College of Nursing, New York University, New York, NY 10010, United States
Brian Walitt, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
Author contributions: Weaver KR and Henderson WA participated in the conception and design; all authors contributed to data interpretation in addition to the drafts and revisions of the manuscript; all authors have approved the final version of the manuscript to be published.
Supported by Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Nursing Research to W.A.H., No. 1ZIANR000018-01-05.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All of the authors have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.
Data sharing statement: No additional data are available.
Correspondence to: Dr. Wendy A Henderson, Digestive Disorders Unit, Biobehavioral Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 10 Center Drive, 2-1341, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States. hendersw@mail.nih.gov
Telephone: +1-301-4519534 Fax: +1-301-4801413
Received: May 9, 2015
Peer-review started: May 11, 2015
First decision: September 8, 2015
Revised: January 8, 2016
Accepted: February 23, 2016
Article in press: February 24, 2016
Published online: May 6, 2016
Processing time: 347 Days and 22.5 Hours
Peer-review started: May 11, 2015
First decision: September 8, 2015
Revised: January 8, 2016
Accepted: February 23, 2016
Article in press: February 24, 2016
Published online: May 6, 2016
Processing time: 347 Days and 22.5 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: The present study reports replicable evidence that persons with irritable bowel syndrome have differences in brain structure and function when compared to healthy volunteers. Gender, psychological factors, and gastrointestinal symptom distress substantially influence these findings.