Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders with Psychiatric Symptoms: Involvement of the Microbiome–Gut–Brain Axis in the Pathophysiology and Case Management

Abstract

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders have been an important cause of poor life quality in affected populations. The unclear etiology and pathophysiological mechanism alter the clinical evolution of the patient. Although a strong connection with psychological stress has been observed, it was not until recently that the gut–brain axis involvement has been revealed. Furthermore, the current literature not only promotes the gut–brain axis modulation as a therapeutical target for functional digestive disorders but also states that the gut microbiome has a main role in this bi-directional mechanism. Psychiatric symptoms are currently recognized as an equally important aspect of the clinical manifestation and modulation of both the digestive and central nervous systems and could be the best approach in restoring the balance. As such, this article proposes a detailed description of the physiology of the microbiome–gut–brain axis, the pathophysiology of the functional gastrointestinal disorders with psychiatric symptoms and current perspectives for therapeutical management, as revealed by the latest studies in the scientific literature.