The bidirectional gut-brain-microbiota axis as a potential nexus between traumatic brain Injury, inflammation, and disease

This 2017 article aims to explore the human brain during injury and throughout the recovery, beyond the confines of the central nervous system (CNS). Sundaman et al. specifically look at the bidirectional influence of the gut-brain axis and the extent to which it alters the biological processes occurring at the time of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and over the days, months, and years that follow. It is widely accepted that gastrointestinal (GI) physiology is controlled by innervation from the CNS. Head injuries can cause structural and functional damage to the GI tract. This injury caused to the gut is associated with the inflammatory processes known to promote neuropathology in the brain following traumatic brain injury, suggesting that the gut-brain axis may hold potential as a therapeutic target for reducing the risk of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and other neurodegenerative diseases following TBI. This present paper also reviews the secondary biological injury mechanisms and the dynamic pathophysiological response to neurotrauma. The article attempts to utilize the available knowledge to uncover novel insights into the bidirectional effect of the gut-brain axis and propose a conceptual model relevant to recovery from traumatic brain injury. [NPID: trauma, traumatic brain injury, gut-brain axis, digestion, gastrointestinal physiology, neurodegenerative disease]

Year: 2017

Reference: Sundman, M. H., Chen, N. K., Subbian, V., & Chou, Y. H. (2017). The bidirectional gut-brain-microbiota axis as a potential nexus between traumatic brain injury, inflammation, and disease. Brain, behavior, and immunity, 66, 31–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2017.05.009

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