Gut Brain Axis News and Research

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New evidence shows Parkinson’s spreads via immune cells from the gut

New research reveals how Parkinson's spreads from the gut to the brain, with the help of immune cells – offering a new potential therapeutic strategy – in a study in mice led by scientists at the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL (University College London).

29 Jan 2026

Gut problems may shape Parkinson’s disease progression through the gut-brain axis

This narrative review examines how gastrointestinal dysfunction, gut dysbiosis, and altered gut-brain axis signaling are closely associated with the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease. It synthesizes evidence supporting a possible bottom-up disease model while highlighting integrative, gut-targeted strategies as adjuncts to symptom management rather than proven disease-modifying therapies.

27 Jan 2026

Tiny plastic particles may interfere with brain processes implicated in Parkinson’s disease

Micro- and nanoplastics are increasingly detected in human tissues, including the brain, and experimental evidence suggests they can interact with biological pathways central to Parkinson’s disease pathology. This review synthesises mechanistic data indicating that plastic particles may influence protein aggregation, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the gut–brain axis, while emphasising the need for prospective human studies.

26 Jan 2026

Genetic study links vitamin B1 metabolism to gut motility and IBS risk

Research links thiamine metabolism to gut motility, identifying genetic markers that could lead to new therapies for IBS and related digestive disorders.

23 Jan 2026

Fear strongly influences pain perception in inflammatory bowel disease patients

Pain perception in affected individuals is more strongly influenced by learned fear than in healthy individuals. Changes along the gut-brain axis related to chronic inflammation may explain this.

12 Dec 2025

Why the form of vitamin B12 you take may matter more than your intake

This comprehensive review examines vitamin B12 absorption, physiological roles, deficiency states, and dietary sources, with particular attention to differences between natural and synthetic forms. The authors conclude that while all B12 forms raise circulating levels, methylcobalamin may offer advantages in specific clinical contexts, especially where absorption or metabolic conversion is impaired.

10 Dec 2025

Chronic drinking weakens the blood-brain barrier through the gut

Chronic alcohol consumption disrupts the blood-brain barrier, but Faecalibacterium prausnitzii shows promise in repairing this damage and improving cognition.

27 Nov 2025

Toward precision diagnosis and treatment of radiation-induced brain injury

Radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI) is a serious and often delayed complication of cranial radiotherapy, which remains a cornerstone in the treatment of brain tumors such as gliomas, metastases, and lymphomas.

18 Nov 2025

Low-dose THC mitigates harmful side effects and inflammation caused by HIV treatment

Long-term, low doses of THC mitigate many harmful side effects and inflammation caused by HIV and antiretroviral therapy (ART), according to new research from Texas Biomedical Research Institute.

6 Nov 2025

How gut microbes shape sleep: New review reveals microbiome clues to insomnia and apnea

A new Brain Medicine review maps how gut microbes influence sleep disorders, from insomnia and sleep apnea to circadian disruption, via bile acids, neurotransmitters, and immune pathways. The findings highlight gut-driven targets for improving sleep quality through diet, probiotics, and microbiome modulation.

5 Nov 2025

Do gut microbes cause autism? New research says diet plays the bigger role

In a family-based study, researchers found that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) shared similar gut microbiomes with their relatives but showed distinctly different eating habits. Their preference for sweets and limited vegetable intake suggests behavior-driven dietary choices may influence, rather than result from, microbiome differences.

5 Nov 2025

New review illuminates the intricate connections between gut microbiota and sleep regulation

A comprehensive review published today in Brain Medicine illuminates the intricate connections between gut microbiota and sleep regulation, establishing the microbiota-gut-brain axis as a critical pathway in understanding and potentially treating sleep disorders.

4 Nov 2025

Gut bacteria in toddlers may influence anxiety and depression years later

This study links childhood gut microbiome to brain connectivity, highlighting its role in internalizing symptoms like anxiety and depression later in life.

4 Nov 2025

Babies' gut bacteria could play a role in programming brain circuits tied to emotional health

A child's early gut microbiome may influence their risk of developing depression, anxiety or other internalizing symptoms in middle childhood, according to a new UCLA Health study.

30 Oct 2025

Prenatal air pollution exposure tied to higher autism risk in children

A population-based study of over two million births in Ontario found that prenatal exposure to the sulfate and ammonium components of fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) was associated with a higher risk of autism spectrum disorder. The risk was greatest during mid to late pregnancy and among infants in urban, lower-income neighborhoods.

26 Oct 2025

Night shift work may raise risk of irritable bowel syndrome

The study indicates that night shift work increases irritable bowel syndrome risk, particularly among those with obesity, due to circadian rhythm disturbances.

22 Oct 2025

Exercise can mitigate depression-like behaviors induced by high-fat, high-sugar diets

Researchers led by Professor Yvonne Nolan at University College Cork have identified specific metabolic pathways through which exercise counteracts the negative behavioral effects of consuming a Western-style cafeteria diet.

21 Oct 2025

Leveraging the microbiome to promote healthy living and aging

From probiotic pills to skincare products to dedicated meal plans, the microbiome is all the rage in the health and wellness space.

21 Oct 2025

Study reveals how gut fungi influence the brain’s dopamine response to alcohol

Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences have found a surprising connection between a fungus associated with alcohol use disorder and the brain's dopamine reward pathway.

16 Oct 2025

New insights into MDMA therapy for PTSD and beyond

A comprehensive peer-reviewed invited review published today in Psychedelics by Dr. Kenji Hashimoto and colleagues (Dr. Mingming Zhao and Dr. Jianjun Yang) synthesizes the evolving landscape of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, examining robust clinical evidence in treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder while identifying promising applications in autism spectrum disorder, eating disorders, and existential distress

14 Oct 2025