VISCERAL PERCEPTION

Testing the sensitivity hypothesis in practice: tools and methods, assumptions and pitfalls

M Camilleri

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr M Camilleri, Enteric Neuroscience Program- Gastroenterology Research Unit, Charlton 7-154, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St, SW Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
camilleri.michael{at}mayo.edu

Visceral hypersensitivity is widely regarded as the reason for the development of functional gastrointestinal disorders, including functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome. The principles and techniques involved in testing the hypothesis that visceral sensitivity is important are discussed, together with the controversies in the assumptions, methods, and interpretations of the data acquired to date.

Keywords: visceral sensation; barostat; tensostat; tension; stretch; receptors; functional gastrointestinal disorders

Abbreviations: ACC, anterior cingulate cortex; IBS, irritable bowel syndrome; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; SPECT, single photon emission computed tomography; VAS, visual analogue scale

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

• van den Berg, M M, Voskuijl, W P, Boeckxstaens, G E, Benninga, M A (2008). Rectal compliance and rectal sensation in constipated adolescents, recovered adolescents and healthy volunteers. Gut 57: 599-603 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Mayer, E A, Bradesi, S, Chang, L, Spiegel, B M R, Bueller, J A, Naliboff, B D (2008). Functional GI disorders: from animal models to drug development. Gut 57: 384-404 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Quigley, E. M M (2007). Probiotics in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: An Immunomodulatory Strategy?. J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 26: 684S-690S [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Chan, C L H, Lunniss, P J, Wang, D, Williams, N S, Scott, S M (2005). Rectal sensorimotor dysfunction in patients with urge faecal incontinence: evidence from prolonged manometric studies. Gut 54: 1263-1272 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Coffin, B, Bouhassira, D, Sabate, J-M, Barbe, L, Jian, R (2004). Alteration of the spinal modulation of nociceptive processing in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Gut 53: 1465-1470 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Schmidt, B, Hammer, J, Holzer, P, Hammer, H F (2004). Chemical nociception in the jejunum induced by capsaicin. Gut 53: 1109-1116 [Abstract] [Full Text]