2021/10/20 by Emeran A. Mayer, Karina Nance, Shelley Chen · 755 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · Neuroscience · Nursing · #Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques #Bioinformatics #Biology #Gastrointestinal motility and disorders #Gut microbiome #Gut microbiota and health #Gut–brain axis #Internal medicine #Intestinal Microbiome #Irritable bowel syndrome #Medicine #Microbiome #Neuroscience
paper · pdf · doi:10.1146/annurev-med-042320-014032
published in Annual Review of Medicine 73(1), 439-453 (Annual Reviews)
openalex publication_date 2021/10/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/06
Preclinical evidence has firmly established bidirectional interactions among the brain, the gut, and the gut microbiome. Candidate signaling molecules and at least three communication channels have been identified. Communication within this system is nonlinear, is bidirectional with multiple feedback loops, and likely involves interactions between different channels. Alterations in gut-brain-microbiome interactions have been identified in rodent models of several digestive, psychiatric, and neurological disorders. While alterations in gut-brain interactions have clearly been established in irritable bowel syndrome, a causative role of the microbiome in irritable bowel syndrome remains to be determined. In the absence of specific microbial targets for more effective therapies, current approaches are limited to dietary interventions and centrally targeted pharmacological and behavioral approaches. A more comprehensive understanding of causative influences within the gut-brain-microbiome system and well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to translate these exciting preclinical findings into effective therapies.