Roles of noradrenergic transmission within the ventral part of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in bidirectional brain-intestine interactions.

The results of this study suggest (a) the existence of a positive feedback loop between intra-vBNST noradrenaline release and abdominal pain perception, and (b) the modulation of colonic motility by intra-vBNST noradrenergic transmission via β-adrenoceptors. Dysfunction of the lower GI tract may increase noradrenaline release within the vBNST, which, in turn, may exacerbate impairment of its motility and pain perception.