Biography
Dr. Pranav Reddy has completed his B.S from Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences. He is currently a student at Rowan-Virtua SOM.
Introduction:
Background:
The gut-brain axis (GBA) is a bidirectional communication pathway between the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and the central nervous system. Its dysfunction is implicated in GI and psychiatric conditions, as GI disorders are commonly accompanied by psychiatric comorbidities, but its exact role in
psychiatric comorbidities is unclear.
Methods:
PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were searched from 2017 to 2022 using specific terms including “[gut-brain axis dysfunction OR gut-brain axis OR microbiota-gut-brain axis] AND [gastrointestinal disorders OR gastrointestinal dysfunction] AND [psychiatric dysfunction OR psychiatric comorbidities OR psychiatric disorders]”. The selected publications were reviewed to draw conclusions and identify future research directions.
Results:
The case study investigated the influence of dysregulated GBA in individuals with comorbid IBS and depression, employing fecal transplantation as an intervention. The findings revealed notable enhancements in mood, medication efficacy, and symptomatology [3]. Another study revealed differences in gut microbiome profiles in individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and emotional distress compared to healthy controls. The IBS group displayed lower levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, suggesting a link between GBA dysfunction, altered gut microbiome, and psychiatric comorbidities in gastrointestinal disorders.
A retrospective study explored the impact of psychiatric comorbidity on treatment outcomes in patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI). Anxiety disorders, a common comorbidity in DGBI patients, reduced the likelihood of treatment response to gastrointestinal medications, neuromodulators, targeting the GBA.
Conclusion:
The studies highlight the intricate connection between the GBA, psychiatric comorbidities, and gastrointestinal disorders. Dysregulated gut microbiome and neurotransmitter alterations may contribute to psychiatric symptoms in gastrointestinal conditions. Future research should investigate the underlying
mechanisms of GBA dysfunction and develop targeted.