Review The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Narrative Review of an Emerging Field, 2025, El-Sehrawy

https://www.pagepressjournals.org/bam/article/view/13690

Eur J Transl Myol 2025. 2025 Feb 12.
doi: 10.4081/ejtm.2025.13690. Online ahead of print.
The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Narrative Review of an Emerging Field
Amr Ali Mohamed Abdelgawwad El-Sehrawy 1, Ibtihal Ibrahim Ayoub 2, Subasini Uthirapathy 3, Suhas Ballal 4, Baneen C Gabble 5, Abhayveer Singh 6, Kavitha V 7, Rajashree Panigrahi 8, Mostafa Kamali 9, Mohsen Khosravi 10
Affiliations
Affiliations

• 1Department of Internal medicine, Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Mansoura University, Mansoura. sehrawyamr@gmail.com.
• 2Department of Internal Medicine, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah. Ibtihalayoub5@gmail.com.
• 3Department of Pharmacy, Tishk International University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region. subasini.uthirapathy@tiu.edu.iq.
• 4Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Sciences, JAIN (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, Karnataka. b.suhas@jainuniversity.ac.in.
• 5Department of Medical Analysis, Medical Laboratory Technique College, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq; Department of Medical Analysis, Medical Laboratory Technique College, The Islamic University of Al Diwaniyah, Al Diwaniyah, Iraq; Department of Medical Analysis, Medical Laboratory Technique College, The Islamic University of Babylon, Babylon. baneen.j.ja@iunajaf.edu.iq.
• 6Centre for Research Impact & Outcome, Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab. abhayveer_singh@outlook.com.
• 7Department of Chemistry, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. kavitha.chemistry@sathyabama.ac.in.
• 8Department of Microbiology, IMS and SUM Hospital, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar. rajashreepanigrahy@soa.ac.in.
• 9Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan. mostafa78kamali@gmail.com.
• 10Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran; Health Promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran; Community Nursing Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan. dr_khosravi2016@yahoo.com.

• PMID: 39937103
  
• DOI: 10.4081/ejtm.2025.13690

Abstract


The intricate relationship between gut microbiota and the brain has emerged as a pivotal area of research, particularly in understanding myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

This complex condition is characterized by debilitating fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and a wide array of systemic manifestations, posing significant challenges for diagnosis and treatment.

Recent studies highlight the microbiota-gut-brain axis as a crucial pathway in ME/CFS pathophysiology, suggesting that alterations in gut microbial composition may impact immune responses, neurochemical signaling, and neuronal health.

This narrative review systematically explores English-language scholarly articles from January 1995 to January 2025, utilizing databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science.

The findings underscore the potential for targeted therapeutic interventions aimed at correcting gut dysbiosis.

As research progresses, a deeper understanding of the microbiota-gut-brain connection could lead to innovative approaches for managing ME/CFS, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for affected individuals.

 

Submitted: 2 February 2025
Accepted: 3 February 2025
Published: 12 February 2025

How is the peer review on this narrative review?

 

The results from fecal microbiota transplant trials seem fairly dismal so far. But then, there could be ME/CFS-like fatigue conditions stemming from gut imbalance. I've heard of a case or two that claimed recovery after a diet change.

 

There was a Norwegian case of ME/CFS that turned out to be leaky gut. Not quite the same, though.