The IMAGINE (Inflammation, Microbiome, and Alimentation: Gastro-Intestinal and Neuropsychiatric Effects) Chronic Disease Network

The IMAGINE (Inflammation, Microbiome, and Alimentation: Gastro-Intestinal and Neuropsychiatric Effects) Chronic Disease Network, which includes 75 researchers from 17 hospitals and universities across Canada, is focused on innovation in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The IMAGINE works with patient partners to identify their priorities for improving their health, developing new treatments, and improving the efficiency of the health care system for Canadian patients. The IMAGINE network is investigating the relationships between inflammation, microbiome, diet, and mental health in patients with IBS and IBD, the general hypothesis being that these diseases are caused by the host immune response following a disruption of the gut microbiome. The IMAGINE network is working to identify food-microbiome-host relationships, as well as to test new treatments for IBS, IBD, and related psychiatric disorders. The IMAGINE Network is one of five chronic disease networks in the SPOR (Strategy for Patient Oriented Research) initiative of CIHR (Canadian Institutes of Health Research).