The connection between the human gut and the brain has been a topic of interest for the past few years. And books and podcasts have made it part of regular conversations. However, the true nature of the relationship between these two organs has long puzzled scientists due to the challenge of gaining access to the inside of the body.
In this scenario, a new study by scientists at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, makes a significant advance in understanding the complex relationship between the gut and the brain. They achieved this by having participants swallow a minimally invasive vibrating capsule that was developed by Vibrant Ltd
In research titled Parieto-Occipital ERP Indicators of Gut Mechanosensation in Humans, the team successfully had participants swallow a vibrating capsule to measure neural responses during gastrointestinal stimulation, providing a new approach to studying this complex connection.
The researchers found that the volunteers were able to perceive the stimulation of the vibrating capsule under two conditions: normal and enhanced. Improved simulation conditions led to improved perceptual accuracy, faster detection of stimulation, and reduced reaction time variability.
This is a significant breakthrough as it demonstrates the feasibility of this new approach to studying gut feelings. The study was conducted at LIBR between September 2019 and February 2022 and included healthy adult male and female volunteers aged 18-40 years. The study was led by Sahib Khalsa, MD, PhD, director of clinical operations at LIBR and associate professor in the Oxley College of Health Sciences at the University of Tulsa.
The researchers also discovered a “gastric evoked potential,” a late neural response in certain areas of the brain specifically elicited by capsule stimulation. The amplitude of these neural responses increased as a function of stimulation intensity and was significantly correlated with perceptual accuracy. The discovery provides a new way to measure and understand the neural processes that control the gut-brain connection.
In discussing the potential clinical implications of this study’s results, Dr. Khalsa said: “The vibrating capsule method could change the clinical approach to gut-brain interaction disorders, including eating disorders and certain gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or functional dyspepsia.”
The research was published in the peer-reviewed academic journal Nature Communications. In addition to Dr. Khalsy was co-authored on the study by PhD student Ahmad Mayeli and LIBR postdoc Obada Al Zoubi. The research was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health and The William K. Warren Foundation.
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