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Gut–brain axis in 2016

Brain–gut–microbiota axis — mood, metabolism and behaviour

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 14, pages 69–70 (2017)Cite this article

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In 2016, key studies have increased our understanding of the part played by the brain–gut–microbiota axis in disorders as diverse as depression, obesity and autism spectrum disorder. The data indicate that alterations in gut-microbial composition can substantially affect central physiology, and that transplantation of the gut microbiota can transfer a behavioural or physiological phenotype.

The association of alterations in gut–brain interactions with functional bowel disorders, chronic abdominal pain syndromes and even eating disorders has become increasingly clear in the past few years. Modulation of gut–brain-axis function is associated with alterations in the stress response and overall behaviour in both animal models and in humans1. A high comorbidity exists between stress-related mental symptoms such as anxiety and IBS, a fact that has provided the greatest impetus for research into the importance of the gut–brain axis2. Over 50% of patients with IBS have comorbid depression or anxiety. Modulation of the gut–brain axis is increasingly being proposed as an appropriate target for the development of novel treatments for a wide variety of disorders that range from depression and anxiety to IBS, obesity and neurodevelopmental disorders3.

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Figure 1: The brain–gut–microbiota axis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. APC Microbiome Institute and the Department of Psychiatry, University College Cork, Cork, IE0000, Ireland

    Timothy G. Dinan

  2. APC Microbiome Institute and the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, IE0000, Ireland

    John F. Cryan

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  1. Timothy G. Dinan
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  2. John F. Cryan
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Correspondence to Timothy G. Dinan.

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Dinan, T., Cryan, J. Brain–gut–microbiota axis — mood, metabolism and behaviour. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 14, 69–70 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2016.200

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