Neuroimaging and Biomarkers in Chronic Visceral Pain

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Patients must meet the Rome III criteria for IBS and lack red flag symptoms, such as weight loss, bloody stool, and fever. In the setting of clinical uncertainty on the part of the examining gastroenterologist, laboratory testing or prior medical records may be requested. 2. Upper gastrointestinal symptoms, ie. dyspepsia or heartburn, are acceptable as long as IBS is their most bothersome symptom complex. 3. Subject cannot have completed structured training in MBSR or other mindfulness or meditation. 4. Subject cannot be currently practicing MBSR. 5. A minimal severity score of 75 on the IBS-SSS at screening will be required to ensure at least mild-moderate symptoms at baseline. 6. Literate in English 7. Ambulatory without a need for assistive devices. 8. Able to participate in the sitting and mild yoga positions required for the MBSR course. 9. Right handed due to importance of laterality in brain imaging analysis 10. Not pregnant, nursing or postpartum. 11. No metals in body, including ferrous metallic implants and tattoos 12. No history of claustrophobia. 13. Able to lay still on back for extended period of time ( about 90 minutes). 14. if unable to participate in the MRI portion of the study you may be eligible to come to the MBSR classes at no cost if you agree to complete the classes, homework and on-line questionnaires. Exclusion criteria: 1. Planned major medical intervention in the next 6 months (e.g. surgery), or surgery in the past 6 months. 2. Presence of a significant and ongoing medical problem that would interfere with participation in the study or testing the study hypotheses (e.g. major heart disease, neurological disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, etc). 3. Presence of a major psychiatric diagnosis such as schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, or Obsessive Compulsive disorder. However, subjects with a history of DSMIV diagnosis of Anxiety or Depression, in whom symptoms are not active will be allowed but noted for post-hoc analysis. 4. use of centrally acting medications that will interfere with the neuroimaging testing (e.g. narcotic medications). As in past studies we will allow subjects taking stable doses of antidepressant medications (TCAs, SSRIs, SNRIs) for at least six months prior to study to participate. 5. Body Mass Index greater than 30. 6. Current or past history of chronic pain syndrome other than IBS in the IBS group (pain \>6 months at any location). 7. History of gastroi…