This webinar explores the ATLANTIS trial, a randomised controlled trial investigating amitriptyline as second-line treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in primary care. Expert Alex Ford, Professor and Honorary Consultant Gastroenterologist at St James’s University Hospital, Leeds, UK, and co-chief of the ATLANTIS trial, discusses why the study was carried out, the main findings, why these results matter, and their implications for practice and policy.
Themes covered include:
- the impact of IBS;
- what gut–brain neuromodulators are, and why they are used;
- the effects of tricyclic antidepressants on IBS symptoms; and
- limitations of previous trials.
Speaker:
Since obtaining his MBChB from the University of Leeds, UK, in 1997, Alex Ford earned a postgraduate certificate in health research, and an MD, also from the University of Leeds. In 2007, he went to Canada to become a Postdoctoral Fellow at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, where he consolidated his research experience, and became an independent clinical researcher. After his return to the UK, he was appointed as Associate Professor at the University of Leeds, and in 2016 was promoted to Professor of Gastroenterology. Ford is also Professor and Honorary Consultant Gastroenterologist at St James’s University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
Ford has received a number of awards and honours, including the United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Rising Star of Gastroenterology in 2008; and the Rome Foundation/Aldo Torsoli Foundation award for research, education, and patient care in gut–brain interactions in 2020. He has published over 450 articles, with more than 600 co-authors.
