Indeed, how a recently identified population of visceral silent nociceptors (characterised by expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha 3 (Chrna3) and sensitisation by nerve growth factor) contributes to visceral sensation is unknown.33 The current lack of subtype-specific molecular markers for colonic sensory neurons constrains our understanding of reflex functions, conscious sensation from the bowel and in gut-specific pathologies (eg, IBS and IBD). Here, CHRNA3 is linked to inflammatory bowel disease.