ALT Gut-Brain Science https://www.gutbrainscience.org/

ALT Key Points VPA exposure is a reliable model of neural tube defects with variable intralitter susceptibility. Fetuses with a VPA-induced neural tube defect have blood in the amniotic sac and within the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract. Enteric nervous system organization is abnormal in the duodenum and jejunum of fetuses with a VPA-induced neural tube defect, with thinner enteric neuronal stripes and narrower interstripe distance. Ex vivo gastrointestinal motility is abnormal in the duodenum and jejunum of fetuses with a VPA-induced neural tube defect, including increased contraction frequency and increased length of the contractile segment.

ALT Highlights Opioid-induced constipation impairs quality of life and decreases analgesic adherence. Conventional laxatives often fail to address the μ-opioid receptor-mediated mechanism causing constipation. Japanese guidelines advocate for early intervention with peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor antagonists. Naldemedine shows long-term efficacy and safety for the relief of constipation without affecting analgesia.

ALT Key Points A clinical practice guideline has been developed in response to a growing number of patients with DGBI-induced altered food-intake behavior to guide diagnosis and management of this newly recognized condition. These patients often present with multisystem comorbidities, and some require enteral or parenteral nutrition. Managing patients with DGBI-induced altered food-intake behavior requires a multidisciplinary, integrated team approach (including gastroenterologists, dietitians, psychologists, and psychiatrists) to enable effective long-term management. An effective treatment approach begins by establishing a positive diagnosis of DGBI-induced altered food-intake behavior. It rules out structural abnormalities and eating disorders as underlying causes of symptoms. Clinical management relies on empathetic care, includes education to create realistic patient expectations, dietitian-supervised oral nutrition, symptom-targeted neuromodulation, and behavioral/psychological ther

ALT Key Points Gut-directed hypnotherapy is a brain–gut behavioral therapy that is effective for patients with irritable bowel syndrome, but access to treatment is limited. In this pilot study, we tested to give nurse-led group hypnotherapy using a digital video platform to increase accessibility further. Study outcomes show that the treatment modality is feasible, efficacious, and acceptable for patients.

ALT Summary • The Fear of Food Questionnaire (FFQ) may be relevant to functional dyspepsia (FD) and gastroparesis(Gp). We sought to develop and validate a short-form version for use in clinical settings. • The original 18-item FFQ's factor structure was not appropriate in an FD/Gp population. We developed a short-form, 9-item FFQ (FFQ-9) with good convergent and divergent validity and clinical utility. • The FFQ-9 appears to be a valid, clinically useful measure of fear of food in patients. Future research should test whether the FFQ-9 is a useful patient-reported outcome measure.