Psyllium with Meals for Children with IBS and Fructan Sensitivity
Official title: ASSESSING PSYLLIUM GIVEN WITH MEALS FOR FRUCTAN SENSITIVITY IN CHILDREN WITH IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11159484 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores if adding psyllium to meals can help children with Irritable Bowel Syndrome who are sensitive to fructans, a type of carbohydrate.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $283,056 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK135668-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11159484 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children between 0-11 years old who have been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and experience symptoms related to fructan sensitivity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose IBS symptoms are not related to fructan sensitivity or who do not experience abdominal pain may not receive benefit from this specific approach.
What this research studies
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) causes abdominal pain in many children, and certain foods called FODMAPs, like fructans, can make symptoms worse. While a low-FODMAP diet can help, it's often hard for children to follow and can lead to other health concerns. This work aims to find a simpler way to manage fructan sensitivity by seeing if psyllium, a type of fiber, can reduce pain when taken with meals. We know that fructans are fermented by gut bacteria, and this process might be different in children who are sensitive to them. Psyllium is a gentle fiber that has shown promise in reducing abdominal pain in children with IBS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer children with IBS a simpler and more practical way to manage their fructan sensitivity without needing a strict, restrictive diet.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that psyllium can decrease abdominal pain in children with IBS, suggesting a foundation for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chumpitazi, Bruno Pedro — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Chumpitazi, Bruno Pedro
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Proteolytic Activity-Guided Fecal Microbiota Transplant for PI-IBS
A pilot study will test a targeted fecal microbiota transplant to help adults with post-infection irritable bowel syndrome feel better and have fewer GI symptoms.
-
IBS after COVID-19: how SARS-CoV-2 infection may lead to irritable bowel syndrome
This project explores whether people who had SARS-CoV-2 infection may develop IBS and what factors raise that risk.
-
Psyllium with meals for fructan-triggered pain in children with IBS
A small study in children with IBS will test whether adding psyllium with meals helps reduce tummy pain caused by fructan in certain foods.
-
VR-based CBT for IBS: at-home treatment idea with guided virtual reality therapy
A pilot study will test whether a home-based VR cognitive behavioral therapy program helps people with irritable bowel syndrome feel better and manage symptoms compared with a sham VR experience.
-
Understanding how alcohol and the gut’s serotonin system affect IBS
This project looks at how alcohol and the gut’s serotonin system may influence irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms in people who have IBS.
-
Sex differences in how the brain, gut, and microbes interact in IBS
A large NIH grant is studying how sex differences in brain–gut–microbiome interactions relate to IBS and its related symptoms, with a focus on women.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.