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Testing the sensitivity hypothesis in practice: tools and methods, assumptions and pitfalls
Abstract
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.
- visceral sensation
- barostat
- tensostat
- tension
- stretch
- receptors
- functional gastrointestinal disorders
- ACC, anterior cingulate cortex
- IBS, irritable bowel syndrome
- MRI, magnetic resonance imaging
- SPECT, single photon emission computed tomography
- VAS, visual analogue scale