Gut–Brain Axis: Pathophysiological Mechanisms in Neurological Disorders and Metabolic Diseases
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 October 2025 | Viewed by 12
Special Issue Editor
Interests: Inflammation; neuroinflammation; gut-brain axis; mast cells; learning and memory
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain can be influenced by a wide variety of environmental and dietary stimuli, altering the gut microbiota and influencing the immune system. The gut microbiota plays a role in the development of brain regions and is thought to influence human behavior and brain function. Studies have indicated a causal link between altered gut microbiota and the onset and progression of neurodegenerative/neuroinflammatory diseases, psychiatric disorders, and neurological disorders. The gut–brain axis can have significant effects on anxiety, stress, depression, pain, cognitive function, and memory. On the other hand, stress can lead to changes in the microbiota and consequently mood via the hypothalamic-pituitary–adrenal axis. Dysregulation in the gut–brain communication can occur through a complex bidirectional communication system. A series of events that include changes in intestinal permeability, production of microbial metabolites, and activation of the enteric nervous system, immune system, microglia, and astrocytes can lead to mood and behavioral disturbances, and metabolic and neurological alterations.
In this context, in order to understand disease processes, it will be important to analyze and understand the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways that are involved, as well as develop new effective strategies for the control of neurological and metabolic disorders. Data on molecular mechanisms or pathophysiology are essential, and papers that only contain clinical trials/data are not acceptable.
Prof. Dr. Giovanna Traina
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- gut–brain axis
- intestinal microbiota
- mood diseases
- immune system
- microbial molecules
- behavior
- metabolic diseases
- signaling pathways
- inflammation
- neurodegeneration
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