MENSTRUAL CYCLE & IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME ON CNS: PROCESSING OF GUT STIMULI

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of the menstrual cycle on the processing of stimuli by the brain in women and whether there is a specific alteration in awareness of stimuli from certain nerve pathways to the brain in women with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The two stimuli to be studied are balloon distension in the rectum and skin stimulation.