Interoceptive Processing in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Area of Science:

• Neurogastroenterology
• Gut-Brain Axis Research
• Interoception Studies

Background:

• Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) affect many globally, presenting chronic symptoms without clear pathology.
• FGIDs often co-occur with psychiatric conditions, causing significant distress and healthcare burden.
• Gut-brain axis dysregulation and impaired interoceptive signal processing are implicated in FGID pathophysiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review original research on the role of interoception in the pathophysiology of FGIDs.
• To synthesize current evidence on interoceptive mechanisms contributing to FGID development and maintenance.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search for studies investigating interoception in FGIDs.
• Analysis of findings from 38 selected original articles.
• Inclusion of neuroimaging, molecular, and genetic study data.

Main Results:

• FGID patients exhibit increased visceral sensitivity and heightened attention to gut sensations.
• Neuroimaging reveals structural and functional changes in the interoceptive network of FGID patients.
• Molecular/genetic studies link interoception to neurotransmission, endocrine/immune pathways, and TRP channel gene expression.

Conclusions:

• Interoceptive processing alterations are central to FGID pathophysiology.
• Interoception-based interventions show promise for symptom reduction and improved quality of life in FGIDs.
• Integrating interoception-focused approaches into clinical management is recommended for FGIDs.