Maternal separation as a model of brain-gut axis dysfunction.

Authors
O'Mahony, Siobhain M
Hyland, Niall P
Dinan, Timothy G
Cryan, John F
Affiliation
Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. somahony@ucc.ie
Issue Date
2011-03
MeSH
Animals
Brain
Disease Models, Animal
Gastrointestinal Tract
Humans
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Life Change Events
Maternal Deprivation
Rodentia
Stress, Psychological

Metadata
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Citation
Maternal separation as a model of brain-gut axis dysfunction. 2011, 214 (1):71-88 Psychopharmacology (Berl.)
Publisher
Springer
Journal
Psychopharmacology
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10147/198851
DOI
10.1007/s00213-010-2010-9
PubMed ID
20886335
Abstract
Thus, maternally separated animals are an excellent model of brain-gut axis dysfunction for the study of disorders such as IBS and for the development of novel therapeutic interventions.
Item Type
Article
Language
en
Description
RATIONALE: Early life stress has been implicated in many psychiatric disorders ranging from depression to anxiety. Maternal separation in rodents is a well-studied model of early life stress. However, stress during this critical period also induces alterations in many systems throughout the body. Thus, a variety of other disorders that are associated with adverse early life events are often comorbid with psychiatric illnesses, suggesting a common underlying aetiology. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder that is thought to involve a dysfunctional interaction between the brain and the gut. Essential aspects of the brain-gut axis include spinal pathways, the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, the immune system, as well as the enteric microbiota. Accumulating evidence suggest that stress, especially in early life, is a predisposing factor to IBS. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review was to assess and compile the most relevant data on early life stress and alterations at all levels of the brain gut axis. RESULTS: In this review, we describe the components of the brain-gut axis individually and how they are altered by maternal separation. The separated phenotype is characterised by alterations of the intestinal barrier function, altered balance in enteric microflora, exaggerated stress response and visceral hypersensitivity, which are all evident in IBS. CONCLUSION: Thus, maternally separated animals are an excellent model of brain-gut axis dysfunction for the study of disorders such as IBS and for the development of novel therapeutic interventions.
ISSN
1432-2072
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