Descripción del proyecto
Restauración del eje intestino-cerebro: nueva estrategia terapéutica para el síndrome del colon irritable
El síndrome del colon irritable (SCI) es un trastorno gastrointestinal crónico común, que se caracteriza por dolores y molestias abdominales recurrentes y que afecta de forma negativa a la calidad de vida de la persona que lo padece. En el proyecto RESILIENCE, financiado por el Consejo Europeo de Investigación, se trabajará con la hipótesis de que el SCI está relacionado con un mal funcionamiento del eje intestino-cerebro. Su equipo se propone tratar el desequilibrio entre el sistema nervioso simpático y parasimpático mediante la estimulación eléctrica transcutánea del nervio vago. Para ayudar a identificar a las personas con SCI aptas para este tratamiento, se pretende desarrollar una firma neuronal mediante biometría y neuroimagen. El estudio podría revolucionar el tratamiento del SCI, así como otros trastornos del dolor, proporcionando terapias personalizadas y eficaces.
Objetivo
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.
Ámbito científico
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Régimen de financiación
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC GrantsInstitución de acogida
6200 MD Maastricht
Países Bajos