Cited by 123Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseGut microbiota and healthGastrointestinal motility and disorders

The Gut-Brain Axis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease—Current and Future Perspectives

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Günther, Claudia, Rothhammer, Veit, Karow, Marisa, Neurath, Markus, Winner, Beate·2021·International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Abstract

The gut–brain axis is a bidirectional communication system driven by neural, hormonal, metabolic, immunological, and microbial signals. Signaling events from the gut can modulate brain function and recent evidence suggests that the gut–brain axis may play a pivotal role in linking gastrointestinal and neurological diseases. Accordingly, accumulating evidence has suggested a link between inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and neurodegenerative, as well as neuroinflammatory diseases. In this context, clinical, epidemiological and experimental data have demonstrated that IBD predisposes a person to pathologies of the central nervous system (CNS). Likewise, a number of neurological disorders are associated with changes in the intestinal environment, which are indicative for disease-mediated gut–brain inter-organ communication. Although this axis was identified more than 20 years ago, the sequence of events and underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly defined. The emergence of precision medicine has uncovered the need to take into account non-intestinal symptoms in the context of IBD that could offer the opportunity to tailor therapies to individual patients. The aim of this review is to highlight recent findings supporting the clinical and biological link between the gut and brain, as well as its clinical significance for IBD as well as neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Finally, we focus on novel human-specific preclinical models that will help uncover disease mechanisms to better understand and modulate the function of this complex system.

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Authors
Günther, C., Rothhammer, V., Karow, M., Neurath, M., & Winner, B.
Affiliations
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (DE)
Corresponding author
  • Günther, Claudia
  • Winner, Beate
Venue
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2021-08-18
Volume
22
Issue
16
Pages
8870
ISSN
1422-0067 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3196160028
Cited by
123
References
169
Citations by year
2026: 27 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 33 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 1
FWCI
2.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • International Journal of Molecular Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • GoeScholar The Publication Server of the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen (Georg-August-Universität Göttingen) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • OPUS Repository (Kooperativer Bibliotheksverbund Berlin-Brandenburg) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (WI 3567/2-1, 270949263/GRK2162, SPP1656, TRR241, FOR 2886, TRR30, GU 1431/5-15)
  • Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF) of the University Erlangen-Nuremberg (30, A75, P056, P068 Jochen-Kalden funding programme N5, N7)
  • European Research Council (851693 HICI)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
Keywords
gut-brain axis, inflammatory bowel disease, neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, central nervous system, gut microbiota, two-way communication, precision medicine, preclinical models
MeSH terms
Animals, Brain, Central Nervous System Diseases, Humans, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

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