Measurement of Gastric Secretion by MRI Under Inhibition by ProtonPump Inhibitors in Healthy Subjects & in GERD Patients

Inclusion criteria

- Healthy volunteers must have less than one episode of reflux or dyspeptic symptoms per month of no more than mild severity in the last 3 months

• Reflux patients (GERD) must have chronic symptoms (>8 weeks) suggestive for GERD (definition and questionnaire see Appendix page 30). In addition, the initial screening manometry must show no severe esophageal dysmotility (e.g. spasm, achalasia). If in addition a pH-study has been performed the acid exposure must be > 4.2% / 24h.

Exclusion criteria

- Age under 18 or above 65

• Pathologic underweight or overweight (BMI < 18 or > 30 kg/m2)
• Previous history of gastrointestinal disease or surgery (excludes appendectomy, cholecystectomy, hernia repair and anorectal disorders)
• Previous cardiorespiratory (excludes arterial hypertension), hematologic, renal, atopic, alimentary or psychiatric disease, diabetes, drug or alcohol abuse
• Patient unable to stop medication that alters gut function for 72 hours prior to the study, including anticholinergics, prokinetics, proton-pump inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Positive Helicobacter pylori status on 13C-Urea breath test
• Presence of metallic implants, devices or metallic foreign bodies
• Pregnancy and lactation (female patients of child bearing age will receive a pregnancy test prior to study)
• Female volunteers without adequate contraception for the duration of the study
• Involvement in any other clinical trial during the course of this trial, nor within a period of 30 days prior to its beginning or 30 days after its completion