Review organizes pharmacological strategies targeting gut-brain axis for neurological and psychiatric disorders

This systematic review summarizes current understanding of microbiota–gut–brain axis dysfunction and organizes existing pharmacological strategies targeting this axis for neurological and psychiatric disorders. The theoretical application includes conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, autism spectrum disorder, depression, anxiety, and stroke. The review categorizes strategies including microbiota-directed interventions and immune–inflammatory modulators that aim to address shared pathophysiological mechanisms.

The review identifies the microbiota–gut–brain axis as a promising therapeutic target based on growing evidence of its involvement in these conditions. However, the article does not report specific clinical trial results, effect sizes, or safety data for any intervention. No primary or secondary outcomes, sample sizes, follow-up durations, or comparative data are provided.

Key limitations include the absence of new clinical study data and the review's nature as a summary of mechanisms and strategies rather than evidence of therapeutic effects. Safety and tolerability information for any pharmacological approach is not reported. The text appropriately notes that dysregulation of the axis has been 'implicated in' conditions, indicating association rather than causation.

For clinical practice, this review provides a conceptual framework for understanding potential therapeutic approaches but does not establish causal therapeutic effects of any pharmacological strategy. The evidence remains emerging, with descriptions of 'growing evidence' and 'increasingly recognized' mechanisms. Clinicians should view this as an organizing summary of a research area rather than guidance for specific treatment decisions.