Irritable bowel syndrome: A microbiome-gut-brain axis disorder?

Figure 2 Visceral pain perception. The microbiota can influence the spinothalamic projections from the gastrointestinal tract which reach higher cortical areas including the insula, anterior cingulate cortex and orbitofrontal cortex where visceral sensory and pain signals reach the conscious awareness. These regions mediate the cognitive processing of visceral signals and integrate mood and stress-related information and initiate autonomic and behavioural responses. ACC: Anterior cingulate cortex.