GUT-BRAIN AXIS

The Role of Short-Chain Fatty Acids From Gut Microbiota in Gut-Brain Communication
This review explains how small molecules called short‑chain fatty acids (SCFAs)—which are made by gut bacteria when they digest dietary fiber—play a key role in connecting your gut and your brain. These SCFAs (mainly acetate, propionate, and butyrate) impact metabolism, hormones, and the immune system. Growing evidence shows they influence brain function and behavior through the gut‑brain axis, affecting inflammation, stress responses, and mental health. The authors propose that understanding SCFAs better could help develop new treatments for brain-related conditions such as depression or neurodegenerative diseases, by targeting gut microbes or their byproducts

The Brain-Gut-Microbiome Axis
This article explains how the brain, gut, and gut microbiome (the community of microbes in the digestive system) are closely connected and constantly communicate with each other. This communication happens through nerves (like the vagus nerve), hormones, and immune system signals. When this brain–gut–microbiome axis is disrupted—by stress, diet, infection, or other factors—it can affect both mental and physical health. Problems in this system have been linked to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), anxiety, depression, and even Parkinson’s disease.

The brain-gut axis in abdominal pain syndromes
This review explains how the brain and digestive system talk to each other, especially in conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional abdominal pain. Normally, the gut sends signals to the brain (about digestion, fullness, discomfort), and the brain responds by helping regulate gut functions. But in people with abdominal pain syndromes, this communication can get messed up: they may overly feel gut signals, misinterpret them, and have stronger emotional or stress reactions. Changes may happen both in the gut, in nerves going to the brain, and in brain areas that process pain, making symptoms worse. Understanding this system offers ideas for treatments that target not just the gut, but also nerves, brain, and stress/emotional factors.