Activity Detail
Seminar
Genetics of irritable bowel syndrome: looking for genes where the sun don’t shine
Mauro D´Amato
The pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is multifactorial and probably involves genetic predisposition and the effect of environmental factors. Unlike other gastrointestinal diseases with a heritable component, genetic research in IBS has been scarce and mostly characterized by small underpowered studies, leading to inconclusive results. The availability of genomic and health-related data from large international cohorts and population-based biobanks offers unprecedented opportunities for long-awaited, well-powered genetic studies in IBS. The talk will focus on the latest advances that provide compelling evidence for the importance of genes involved in the digestion of carbohydrates, neuronal pathways and the control of gut motility. These discoveries have generated novel information that might be further refined for the identification of predisposed individuals and selection of management strategies for patients.