Early life stress and the pathogenesis of visceral hypersensitivity: mechanisms and implications for disorders of gut-brain interaction (opens in new tab)

Early life stress (ELS) is a major risk factor for disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs), particularly irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), through the induction of persistent visceral hypersensitivity. This review synthesizes evidence from epidemiological studies, clinical observations, and preclinical models to establish ELS-induced visceral hypersensitivity as a core pathophysiological axis. I delineate the multi-level mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, encompassing: (1) central neuroe...