Abstract: The present invention relates to screening methods and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for screening a plurality of test substances useful for the prevention or treatment of an inflammatory bowel disease comprising the steps consisting of (a) testing each of the test substances for its ability to restore the integrated stress response and (b) and positively selecting the test substances capable of restoring said integrated stress response. A further aspect of the invention relates to an agent capable of restoring the integrated stress response (ISR) for use in the treatment of an inflammatory bowel disease.