Projektbeschreibung
Darm-Hirn-Achse wiederherstellen: neuer Therapieansatz für das Reizdarmsyndrom
Das Reizdarmsyndrom ist eine häufige, chronische Magen-Darm-Erkrankung, die durch wiederkehrende Bauchschmerzen und Unwohlsein gekennzeichnet ist und die Lebensqualität der Betroffenen beeinträchtigt. Das Team des vom Europäischen Forschungsrat finanzierten Projekts RESILIENCE geht von der Hypothese aus, dass das Reizdarmsyndrom mit einer Fehlfunktion der Kommunikationsachse zwischen Gehirn und Darm zusammenhängt. Das Projektteam schlägt vor, das Ungleichgewicht zwischen dem sympathischen und dem parasympathischen Nervensystem durch transkutane elektrische Stimulation des Vagusnervs zu beheben. Um die Bestimmung der von Reizdarmsyndrom Betroffenen zu erleichtern, die für diese Behandlung geeignet sind, strebt das Studienteam an, mithilfe von Biometrie und Neurobildgebung eine neuronale Signatur zu entwickeln. Die Studie birgt das Potenzial, die Behandlung des Reizdarmsyndroms und anderer Schmerzerkrankungen zu revolutionieren, indem sie personalisierte und wirksame Therapien unterstützt.
Ziel
Common colloquial phrases like ‘gut feeling’ or ‘butterflies in my belly’ are not just idioms but reflect on the unique communication between gut and brain. The principal interface for this interaction is the autonomic nervous system — a largely subconscious system that manages bodily functions through a delicate balance between its two branches: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The vagus nerve is the main component of the latter. Diminished vagal tone resulting in increased sensitivity to pain is characteristic for many chronic pain disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). People with IBS have frequent and often severe abdominal pain. While its etiology remains poorly understood, IBS is now assumed to be caused by a malfunctioning of the gut–brain axis, often manifesting in sympathetico–vagal disbalance. However, no established therapies currently target this neurological disturbance. I hypothesize that restoring the sympathico–vagal disbalance through autonomic neuromodulation can be an important novel therapeutic target in IBS. To achieve this, I will use transcutaneous electrical vagus nerve stimulation via the auricular nerve. I will also develop a novel multimodal ‘vagal-autonomic neurosignature’ through combining actively and passively recorded biometrics and high-power field neuroimaging. This profile will allow identification of patients who could benefit from the new treatment approach. Simultaneously, I will investigate mechanisms of action in a comprehensive manner, using experimental models and tools I have previously developed. My project is foreseen to fundamentally change the therapeutic landscape of IBS and other pain disorders by providing high-quality clinical and mechanistic evidence for the efficacy of vagal neuromodulation. Identifying a neurological signature of patients that likely benefit from this approach would represent a major break-through in individualizing therapeutic efforts in IBS.
Wissenschaftliches Gebiet
Schlüsselbegriffe
Programm/Programme
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Thema/Themen
Finanzierungsplan
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC GrantsGastgebende Einrichtung
6200 MD Maastricht
Niederlande