The effects of an acute serotonergic challenge on brain-gut responses in irritable bowel syndrome patients and controls.
BACKGROUND
Serotonin, a key denominator of the brain-gut axis is involved in the regulation of gastrointestinal function as well as cognition, mood and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis-mediated neuroendocrine responses.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of an acutely increased serotonergic activity, using a 20 mg intravenous citalopram challenge test on visceral perception, affective memory performance, mood and neuroendocrine responses, respectively, in diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome patients and controls.


METHODS
In a randomized, double-blind crossover design, 14 diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome patients and 14 matched controls were studied under citalopram and placebo conditions, respectively. Visceral perception was scored in response to rectal distensions. Affective memory performance, mood, levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, prolactin and biochemical parameters of serotonergic metabolism were simultaneously assessed.


RESULTS
Visceral perception did not significantly differ between the citalopram and placebo condition. Citalopram administration enhanced affective memory performance because of a bias towards positive material but no significant changes in mood. Citalopram significantly increased plasma serotonin, adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol levels compared with placebo. Citalopram did not differentially affect the patient or control group.


CONCLUSIONS
We have provided evidence that acutely increased serotonergic activity influences neuroendocrine responses and cognition in diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome and controls without a significant effect on visceral perception.
Kilkens
T O C
TO
Brain and Behaviour Institute, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands. t.kilkens@pn.unimaas.nl
Honig
A
A
Fekkes
D
D
Brummer
R-J M
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D015283:Citalopram / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D012007:Rectum / Q000503:physiopathology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D015283:Citalopram; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D011388:Prolactin; D012701:Serotonin; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors