Descrizione del progetto
Ripristinare l’asse intestino-cervello: un nuovo approccio terapeutico per la sindrome dell’intestino irritabile
La sindrome dell’intestino irritabile (SII) è un disturbo gastrointestinale cronico comune, caratterizzato da dolori e disturbi addominali ricorrenti che influiscono negativamente sulla qualità della vita di una persona. Finanziato dal Consiglio europeo della ricerca, il progetto RESILIENCE si basa sull’ipotesi che la sindrome dell’intestino irritabile sia legata a un malfunzionamento dell’asse di comunicazione cervello-intestino. Il progetto propone di affrontare lo squilibrio tra il sistema nervoso simpatico e parasimpatico attraverso la stimolazione elettrica transcutanea del nervo vago. Per aiutare a identificare i pazienti con SII adatti a questo trattamento, il team di studio mira a sviluppare una firma neurale utilizzando la biometria e l’imaging cerebrale. Lo studio ha il potenziale per rivoluzionare il trattamento della sindrome dell’intestino irritabile e di altri disturbi del dolore, fornendo terapie personalizzate ed efficaci.
Obiettivo
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.
Campo scientifico
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC GrantsIstituzione ospitante
6200 MD Maastricht
Paesi Bassi