Role of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in postacute COVID syndrome

Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2023 Apr 1;324(4):G322-G328. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00293.2022. Epub 2023 Mar 7.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the infection of hundreds of millions of individuals over the past 3 years, coupled with millions of deaths. Along with these more acute impacts of infection, a large subset of patients has developed symptoms that collectively comprise "postacute sequelae of COVID-19" (PASC, also known as long COVID), which can persist for months and maybe even years. In this review, we outline the current knowledge on the role of impaired microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis signaling in the development of PASC and the potential mechanisms involved, which may lead to a better understanding of disease progression and treatment options in the future.

Keywords: COVID-19; PASC; SARS-CoV-2; cognitive function; microbiota-gut-brain.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brain-Gut Axis*
  • COVID-19*
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome