Regional gray matter density changes in brains of patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Several studies have examined structural brain changes associated with chronic pain syndromes, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but study sample sizes have been small and heterogeneous.

Methods

We used magnetic resonance imaging-based techniques, voxel-based morphometry, and cortical thickness analysis to examine brain anatomical differences in a relatively large, tightly screened sample of IBS patients (n = 55); we compared data with that from healthy persons (controls; n = 48).

Results

IBS was associated with decreased gray matter density (GMD) in widespread areas of the brain, including medial prefrontal and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, posterior parietal cortex, ventral striatum, and thalamus. Compared with controls, we observed incr

SUBMITTER: Seminowicz DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2902717 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature