Research

Center for Pediatric Abdominal Pain Research

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About the Center

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The Pediatric Abdominal Pain Research Program is led by Dr. Robert Shulman, a practicing pediatric gastroenterologist at Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine. Our team consists of physician and Ph.D. researchers, psychologists, study coordinators and laboratory personnel.

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USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center

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The Center for Pediatric Abdominal Pain Research is part of the Children's Nutrition Research Center which houses laboratories of varied disciplines, a vast array of state-of-the-art equipment, a greenhouse, observation labs and accommodations for research volunteers, a metabolic kitchen, and an elite group of scientists conducting groundbreaking research. Visit the CNRC.

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Our Research

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The research studies we conduct are focused on abdominal pain in children that don't have a clear cause. This pain has been called recurrent abdominal pain, chronic abdominal pain or functional abdominal pain. Currently, we use the term “Disorders of the Gut-Brain Axis” signifying the close interaction between gut and brain functions that can be affected in these children. We are specifically interested in:

  • Studying physiological attributes such as alterations in the gastrointestinal and nervous systems
  • Determining how psychological factors can affect symptoms
  • Defining the contribution of genetics
  • Examining the role of the immune system and inflammation
  • Analyzing how bacteria may play a role in affecting symptoms
  • Identifying how certain treatments may improve symptoms
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Clinical Trials Currently Seeking Participants

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