The group is broadly interested in the study of the brain-gut axis, which is the relationship between the enteric nervous system (ENS) and central nervous system (CNS), and how they control the gastrointestinal motor and sensory functions and mechanisms that lead to its derangement and malfunction.

We are currently focused on:

SATIATION/ OBESITY

Satiation, the final signal that eventually leads animals and humans to stop meal intake, is controlled by multiple, yet not well-characterised, neuro-hormonal signals that arise mostly from the gastrointestinal tract. Our overall long-term goal is to study the gastrointestinal mechanisms involved in satiation perception and the potential of modifying caloric intake/weight through the pharmacological manipulation of these mechanisms.

Research Projects:

• Gastroentestinal function and meal size: new therapeutic targets in obesity. ISCIII. PI06/1405 (3 year grant). We aim to establish: 

1. Whether pharmacological manipulation of gastric motor/sensory functions can be used to reduce caloric intake; 
2. If perception of different mechanical and nutrient stimuli in the gut of obese individuals is reduced due to altered gastrointestinal motor/neuroendocrine responses to feeding.

FECAL INCONTINENCE

This is an unrecognised problem that affects not only elder populations, but young active people as well. It dramatically impacts their quality of life, leads to work absenteeism and imposes an enormous burden on health-care resources. Available therapies resolve around 60% of cases. Bowel continence depends on the adequate functioning of the ENS-CNS axis; however the exact neural structures and neurotransmitters involved are unknown. In general we aim to gain insight on the mechanisms that lead to this condition in order to improve prevention and develop new treatment strategies.

Research Projects:

• Performance characteristics of systems in primary care for the theatment of the anal/fecal incontinence (ISCIII. PI07/90951)  There is no data in our geographic area on the prevalence and severity of fecal incontinence and health-care system performance in this setting. This study aims to evaluate the performance of our social healthcare system in the diagnosis and management of fecal incontinence in order to design and apply strategies that improve the efficiency of current available resources. 
• Characterisation of cerebral areas participating in anorectal function. Neuroimaging study using functional MRI (ISCIII. PI07/0772).This study, conducted in collaboration with the High Technology Institute (IAT) of IMAS, involves the assessment of central nervous centres involved in anorectal sensation and motor function using state-of-the-art techniques, such as the rectal barostat for rectal sensory-motor evaluation and fMRI.
• Neuromodulation in functional gastro-intestinal disorders (uroplasty) Clinical study that evaluates the efficacy of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), the least invasive form of neural stimulation that has been shown effective in the treatment of urinary incontinence. We are currently testing it in fecal incontinent patients.