Avenues within the gut-liver-brain axis linking chronic liver disease and symptoms

Symptoms of fatigue, social withdrawal and mood disturbances are commonly encountered in patients with chronic liver disease and have a detrimental effect on patient quality of life. Treatment options for these symptoms are limited and a current area of unmet medical need. In this review, we will evaluate the potential mechanistic avenues within the gut-liver-brain axis that may be altered in the setting of chronic liver disease that drive the development of these symptoms. Both clinical and pre-clinical studies will be highlighted as we discuss how perturbations in host immune response, microbiome, neural responses, and metabolites composition can affect the central nervous system.

Automated summary

Symptoms of fatigue, social withdrawal and mood disturbances are common in patients with chronic liver disease. Limited treatment options exist for these symptoms, creating a medical need. This review examines potential mechanisms within the gut-liver-brain axis in chronic liver disease that contribute to the development of these symptoms, focusing on disruptions in immune response, microbiome, neural responses, and metabolite composition and their effects on the central nervous system.