Description du projet
Restaurer l’axe intestin-cerveau: une nouvelle approche thérapeutique pour le syndrome du côlon irritable
Le syndrome du côlon irritable (SCI) est un trouble gastro-intestinal chronique courant, caractérisé par des douleurs abdominales récurrentes et une gêne qui affecte négativement la qualité de vie d’une personne. Financé par le Conseil européen de la recherche, le projet RESILIENCE travaillera sur l’hypothèse que le SCI est lié à un dysfonctionnement de l’axe de communication cerveau-intestin. Le projet propose de traiter le déséquilibre entre le système nerveux sympathique et parasympathique par la stimulation électrique transcutanée du nerf vague. Pour aider à identifier les patients atteints du syndrome du côlon irritable susceptibles de bénéficier de ce traitement, l’équipe chargée de l’étude vise à mettre au point une signature neuronale à l’aide de la biométrie et de la neuro-imagerie. L’étude pourrait révolutionner le traitement du SCI et d’autres troubles douloureux, en proposant des thérapies personnalisées et efficaces.
Objectif
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.
Champ scientifique
Mots‑clés
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Thème(s)
Régime de financement
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC GrantsInstitution d’accueil
6200 MD Maastricht
Pays-Bas