Uncovering the Roots of Chronic Gut Pain.
A specific pathway of nerves and cells linking the gut to the brain may be responsible for chronic gut pain, commonly associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and mental health disorders including anxiety and depression. Researchers have discovered that the gut microbiome produces short-chain fatty acids that trigger a particular cell type to release neurotransmitters, which activate nerves and directly send pain signals to the brain via the gut-brain axis. The mechanism is chronically overactive in females, which could explain why two-thirds of those who experience IBS are women. Specific interventions can be developed to block communication between the cells and nerves responsible, including drug treatments, microbiome treatments, and diet-based treatments.