Gut–brain axis signaling pathway

The **gut–brain axis signaling pathway** refers to the complex bidirectional network that connects the gastrointestinal tract with the central nervous system. This communication involves neural pathways (including the enteric nervous system and vagus nerve), endocrine signals (such as hormones from the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis), immune mediators (cytokines), metabolic products from gut microbiota (like short-chain fatty acids), and other biochemical messengers. The gut-brain axis plays critical roles in regulating digestion, mood, stress responses, immunity, cognition, behavior, and overall homeostasis. Disruptions in this network have been implicated in various conditions including irritable bowel syndrome, depression/anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorder comorbidities with GI symptoms, neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease under investigation for links to gut health. The term does not refer to a specific molecular target but rather an integrated physiological system involving multiple organs and cell types. The **gut-brain axis** is not a discrete therapeutic target like an enzyme or receptor but rather describes an interconnected set of pathways involving nerves (especially via the vagus nerve), hormones/hormonal axes such as HPA-axis activity modulated by stress or inflammation signals from both directions between brain/gut/microbiome/immune systems. Because it is not a single molecule or protein family but instead encompasses many interacting components across organ systems—including neurons/neurotransmitters/hormones/immune cells/microbial metabolites—the "Gut–brain axis signaling pathway" should be classified as *not* being an individual druggable therapeutic target. If you are seeking information on specific molecules within this network—such as serotonin receptors in the ENS/CNS or particular cytokines—those would be more appropriate entries for structured drug-target databases.

Other names

Gut–brain axisMicrobiota–gut–brain axisGBABrain-gut connection