Research identifies first-ever link of psychological stress to IBD

Experts from Philadelphia have uncovered a link between cells associated with stress responses in the brain and the likelihood of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

According to findings from the Perelman School of Medicine, which were published last week, cells involved with the communication between stress responses in the brain and inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which can exacerbate symptoms of IBD, have been identified in animals.

In the study, researchers found that, like humans, mice with IBD developed severe symptoms when stressed. Once the creatures were displaying evidence of the emotion, experts traced the initial stress response signals to the adrenal cortex, which releases glucocorticoids – steroid hormones that activate the physiological responses to stress throughout the body.

Researchers discovered neurons and glia – non-neuronal cells – in the nervous system responded to chronically elevated glucocorticoid levels, suggesting that they are the link between stress perception by the brain and intestinal inflammation.

‘This finding highlights the importance of psychological evaluations in patients being treated for IBD, as well as to inform treatment protocols,’ said Maayan Levy PhD, as assistant professor of microbiology and co-senior author of the study. ‘One of the most common treatments for IBD flare-ups is steroids, and our research indicates that in patients with IBD who experience chronic stress, the efficiency of this treatment could be impaired.’

Currently an estimated 1.6 million Americans and over 500,000 people in the UK suffer with IBD, which refers to two conditions – Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis – characterised by inflammation of the GI tract, and can cause symptoms like diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and bloody stools.

The Mental Health Foundation have also found that more young people are experiencing stress. Experts have highlighted that 60% of young people aged between 18 and 24 have felt so stressed by the pressure to succeed that they have felt overwhelmed or unable to cope.

In severe cases, if inflammation is left untreated, permanent damaged can be caused to the GI tract. At the moment, there is no cure for the disease, but treatments consist of anti-inflammatory drugs, immune suppressants, dietary changes, and steroids.

Christopher Thaiss, PhD, senior author of the study and assistant professor of microbiology said, ‘Clinicians have long observed that chronic stress can worsen IBD symptoms, but until now, no biological connection has been identified to explain how the digestive system knows when someone is stressed.’

Researchers underscore the opportunity for more research into the biology of enteric glial cells, and the role they play in many regulatory systems within the body, including the communication between the nervous system and the immune system.

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