From mental strain to gut pain: A brain‐gut pathway transducing psychological stress to intestinal inflammation

Abstract

Psychological stress can trigger inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) flares, but the molecular mechanisms have remained unclear. We recently discovered an unexpected function of the enteric nervous system as a relay between stress signals from the brain and intestinal inflammation. Our findings highlight targeting stress-induced signaling networks as a possible new pillar in the clinical management of IBD.