Cedars-Sinai's GI Motility Program is conducting leading-edge research in several areas, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and motility of the esophagus, stomach and small intestine, as well as studies of movements and controlling mechanisms of the small intestine.

Dr. Mark Pimentel's research interests lie in the field of IBS as it relates to bacteria in the small intestine. Recent findings suggest a very high prevalence of SIBO (a condition in which there is an inappropriate quantity of bacteria in the small intestine). This relationship has resulted in further research demonstrating that the elimination of these bacteria results in the most dramatic improvement in IBS symptoms ever published. As such, the demand for breath testing to rule out SIBO has increased. Follow-up research on this topic has resulted in finding some of the moving problems of the intestine possibly responsible for this development of bacteria. Furthermore, treatments to prevent the recurrence of the bacteria and the IBS symptoms have been developed and have been found to be very effective.

We are currently conducting clinical studies related to SIBO. We are recruiting subjects with IBS, normal subjects and controls. For more information on how to participate in these studies, please contact our research office at (310) 423-3792.