Our graduate student Zoë spear-headed a recent review examining the relationship between the gut microbiome, neuroinflammation, and chronic pain. Here, she considers the emerging evidence that communication between the gut microbiome and microglia drives the chronicity of pain. She reviews the current literature that supports a link between gut bacteria and central inflammation and discusses the potential mechanisms by which the gut microbiome and microglia communicate to influence the chronicity and perception of pain. Finally, she highlights gaps in knowledge, and discusses the implications for targeting gut health to improve pain outcomes in chronic pain populations.

You can access the paper via PubMed here or download direct here.