Impaired Emotional Learning and Involvement of the Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Signaling System in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Although CRF signaling via CRF-R1 is involved in fear acquisition and extinction learning related to expected abdominal pain in patients with IBS and controls, this system appears to be up-regulated in patients with IBS. This up-regulation might contribute to the previously reported abnormal brain responses to expected abdominal pain.