Functional neuroimaging studies in functional dyspepsia patients: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gastroenterology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Growing evidence suggests central nervous system abnormalities in functional dyspepsia (FD) beyond peripheral gastrointestinal changes.
• FD patients exhibit altered brain activity compared to healthy individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and integrate findings on functional brain activity, visceral sensation, symptoms, and psychological factors in FD.
• To understand the neurobiological underpinnings of FD through a meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging studies in FD patients.
• Included 16 studies categorized into resting-state, visceral distention, and acupuncture paradigms.
• Searched electronic databases and conducted hand searches for relevant literature.

Main Results:

• FD patients showed altered activity in brain regions including the frontal cortex, insula, and amygdala.
• These brain changes are linked to visceral hypersensitivity, dyspeptic symptoms, anxiety, and depression.
• Functional abnormalities were observed in sensory, pain modulation, emotion, and homeostatic processing networks.

Conclusions:

• Functional dyspepsia is characterized by widespread functional brain abnormalities affecting sensory processing, emotional regulation, and homeostatic control.
• Variability in findings may stem from diverse FD conditions, heterogeneous results, diagnostic inconsistencies, and comorbidities.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the complex central mechanisms underlying FD.