Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2018 Aug;94(1114):446-452.
doi: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2017-135424. Epub 2018 Jul 19.

Gut-brain axis biochemical signalling from the gastrointestinal tract to the central nervous system: gut dysbiosis and altered brain function

Borros M Arneth
Review

Gut-brain axis biochemical signalling from the gastrointestinal tract to the central nervous system: gut dysbiosis and altered brain function

Borros M Arneth. Postgrad Med J. 2018 Aug.

Abstract

Background: The gut-brain axis facilitates a critical bidirectional link and communication between the brain and the gut. Recent studies have highlighted the significance of interactions in the gut-brain axis, with a particular focus on intestinal functions, the nervous system and the brain. Furthermore, researchers have examined the effects of the gut microbiome on mental health and psychiatric well-being.The present study reviewed published evidence to explore the concept of the gut-brain axis.

Aims: This systematic review investigated the relationship between human brain function and the gut-brain axis.

Methods: To achieve these objectives, peer-reviewed articles on the gut-brain axis were identified in various electronic databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, CIHAHL, Web of Science and PsycINFO.

Results: Data obtained from previous studies showed that the gut-brain axis links various peripheral intestinal functions to brain centres through a broad range of processes and pathways, such as endocrine signalling and immune system activation. Researchers have found that the vagus nerve drives bidirectional communication between the various systems in the gut-brain axis. In humans, the signals are transmitted from the liminal environment to the central nervous system.

Conclusions: The communication that occurs in the gut-brain axis can alter brain function and trigger various psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia and depression. Thus, elucidation of the gut-brain axis is critical for the management of certain psychiatric and mental disorders.

Keywords: CNS; brain; depression; dysbiosis; gut brain axis; microbiome.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

MeSH terms