Primary Neurotransmitter Involved in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Role of Serotonin in IBS Pathophysiology

• Serotonin is predominantly found in the gut and serves as a vital link in IBS pathophysiological processes, including altered gut motility, abnormal intestinal secretion, and visceral hypersensitivity 1

Evidence from Pharmacological Treatments

• The American Gastroenterological Association suggests using tricyclic antidepressants in patients with IBS due to their effects on serotonin signaling 2, 3

Clinical Implications of Targeting Serotonin

• British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines recommend tricyclic antidepressants as effective second-line drugs for global symptoms and abdominal pain in IBS, working primarily through serotonergic mechanisms 4, 5
• The American Gastroenterological Association suggests using TCAs in patients with IBS due to their effects on serotonin signaling, and 5-HT3 receptor antagonists are recognized as among the most efficacious treatments for IBS-D, directly targeting serotonin's effects 2, 3, 4, 5

Therapeutic Targeting of Serotonin

• TCAs and SSRIs modulate serotonin levels in the gut, providing relief of global IBS symptoms 6