Intestinal microbiota and gut–brain axis (MGBA) (MGBA)

The intestinal microbiota and gut–brain axis (MGBA) is a complex, bidirectional communication network that integrates the central nervous system (CNS) with the gastrointestinal tract through neural, endocrine, and immune signaling pathways (Carabotti et al., 2015, Annals of Gastroenterology). This axis is heavily influenced by the gut microbiota, which produces neuroactive metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and serotonin that can modulate brain function and behavior (Cryan et al., 2019, Physiological Reviews). Dysbiosis, or an imbalance in these microbial communities, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various neurological and psychiatric conditions, including Parkinson's disease, depression, and autism spectrum disorders (Mayer et al., 2015, Journal of Clinical Investigation). Therapeutic strategies targeting this axis include the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to restore a healthy microbial environment and improve clinical outcomes (Dalile et al., 2019, Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology). Despite its therapeutic potential, the MGBA is not a single molecular target but a complex physiological network, presenting significant challenges for standardized drug development and precise clinical monitoring.

Other names

Microbiota-gut-brain axisGut-brain axisGBAGut-brain-microbiota axis

Modulation of microbial composition and production of neuroactive metabolites (e.g., SCFAs, neurotransmitters) to influence vagal signaling and systemic inflammation (Cryan et al., 2019).