Tag Archives: brain-gut axis

Brain-Gut Axis in 2017

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“Brain–gut interactions and maintenance factors in pediatric gastroenterological disorders. Recommendations for clinical care.” B Reed-Knight et al. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, 2017; 5: 93-105.

A summary of this review article by Sharon Berry, PhD, ABPP, Past President, Society of Pediatric Psychology:

This review article describes the brain–gut axis as a means to increase understanding of how biological mechanisms implicated in a range of pediatric GI disorders interact with psychological and contextual factors to maintain GI symptoms and (b) provide practical ways for pediatricians and other healthcare providers to  incorporate a discussion of the brain–gut axis into patient education for pediatric GI disorders.

Biological mechanisms of the brain–gut axis including alterations in pain processing, the stress response system, and gut microbiome activity are reviewed. Psychosocial factors that contribute to or maintain disturbances in the brain–gut axis are discussed with implications for clinical assessment and intervention. The authors assert that a mutual understanding by patients, families, and providers alike of the relevant brain–gut interactions and the biopsychosocial model, in general, will serve as a foundation for successful delivery of and adherence to medical and psychological interventions. Important clinical conclusions include:

  • Early discussion of the brain-gut axis may reduce resistance to integrated behavioral or psychological treatment for pediatric gastroenterological disorders.
  • Sample visual aids and descriptive scripts are available within this review to guide discussions of the brain-gut axis with patients and families for a range of pediatric GI disorders.

My take: This article serves is a useful resource for pediatric psychologists to better understand the ideas of visceral hypersensitivity, stress response, and biological triggers (eg. gut microbiome, infections) for gastrointestinal disorders. Its discussion of biopsychosocial assessment and psychological interventions are helpful for pediatric gastroenterologists to understand the psychological approaches toward treatment.

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Celiac Diseaase and Diabetes

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A recent review (B Weiss, O Pinahs-Hamiel. JPGN 2017; 64: 175-79) of the medical literature describes the various recommendations regarding celiac disease (CD) and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Key points:

  • Two-thirds of patients with T1DM and CD are asymptomatic for CD at diagnosis
  • Many children with T1DM and with positive CD serology may normalize the serology spontaneously.   In one study with 446 children with T1DM who were screened for CD, 38 had persistently abnormal serology whereas 27 had fluctuations in CD serology.  In another study with 738 children, of 48 patients with positive CD serology, normalization was evident in 35% at 1 year.

The authors review recommendations for CD screening.  Several guidelines have recommended soon after diagnosis (especially if >2 years of age).

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Their figure 1 algorithm provides guidance on evaluation.  In those patients with T1DM and positive CD serology, if they are asymptomatic, assuring that serology is persistently elevated may be worthwhile before proceeding with small bowel biopsy.  In those who initially test negative for serology, there may be a role for HLA testing and/or periodic screening every few years.

Related editorial on recent article: Celiac Disease, Gut-Brain Axis, and Behavior: Cause, Consequence or Merely Epiphenomenon (A Fasano)  Thanks to KT Park for this reference.  Excerpt:

By assessing the psychological functioning of infants enrolled in the Environmental Determinant of Diabetes in the Young trial and followed prospectively, the authors reported that 3.5-year-old children affected by celiac disease autoimmunity (CDA), defined as positive serology in children at risk, have increased reports of depression/anxiety, aggressive behavior, and sleep disturbances. Interestingly, these symptoms were significantly greater in the 66 children with CDA whose mothers were unaware of the diagnosis compared with the 440 children with CDA whose mothers were aware of the diagnosis and the 3651 children without CDA, decreasing the chance that the reported behaviors were biased by families’ subjective assessment…Prospective studies such as that reported by Smith et al may be a key approach to shedding light on how intestinal factors can influence human behavior and to identifying possible targets to ameliorate psychological symptoms caused by inappropriate gut-brain cross-talk.

Reference article: Smith L, et al.. Psychological manifestation of celiac disease autoimmunity in young children. Pediatrics. 2017;139(3):e20162848

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