How gut and lung connections impact brain health

Delighted to share our recent publication: “Navigating the Interplay: Understanding the Potential Impact of the Gut–Lung–Brain Axis on Brain Disorders.” This article underscores that the gut and lungs may influence brain health more than previously thought, and that a multi-organ perspective could unlock new opportunities for prevention and therapy. Key takeaways: ■ The gut, lung, and brain are not isolated—they’re part of a hidden communication network shaping brain health. ■ Interconnected Triad: Gut, lung, and brain form a communication network via immune, metabolic, microbial, and neuroendocrine pathways. ■ Axes in Action: Gut–lung, lung–brain, and gut–brain axes, linked by microbial metabolites, illustrate how the Interorgan Communication Network (ICN) functions. ■ Impact on Brain Health: Dysbiosis, lung issues, or neuroinflammation can worsen Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, and psychiatric disorders. ■ Shared Pathways: Inflammation, SCFAs, cytokines, exosomes, and BBB disruption connect peripheral changes to brain pathology within the ICN. ■ COVID-19 Proof: SARS-CoV-2 shows the triad—gut dysbiosis and lung inflammation drive immune overactivation and neurological effects. ■ Therapeutic Potential: Microbiome restoration + lifestyle changes offer key intervention points in the ICN. ■ Precision & Prevention: ICN mapping may uncover shared disease pathways and novel drug targets. ■ Future Direction: Advancing ICN-based therapies demands collaboration across neurology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, and immunology. #science #society #health

🧠 Interleukin-6 as a prognostic biomarker in traumatic brain injury TBI remains one of the leading causes of mortality and long-term disability worldwide, with millions of new cases each year and a profound socioeconomic impact. Clinicians face daily challenges in predicting recovery, guiding treatment, and counseling families. A recent prospective cohort study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine explored the role of serum Interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a potential biomarker for prognosis in patients with moderate to severe TBI. 🔬 Key findings - 88 patients with moderate-to-severe TBI were followed for 6 months. - Elevated IL-6 levels within 24 hours of trauma were strongly associated with mortality and disability at 6 months. - Day-0 IL-6 was an independent predictor of adverse outcome, even after adjusting for age, injury severity, and infections. - At a threshold of 59 pg/ml, IL-6 achieved a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 89% for poor outcomes. - The predictive accuracy (AUC 89%) highlights IL-6’s potential role in complementing established prognostic models (e.g., CRASH, IMPACT). 💡 Why it matters : This study reinforces the importance of inflammation and immune response in secondary brain injury mechanisms. More importantly, it suggests that IL-6 could be integrated into multimodal prognostic tools to enhance precision medicine in TBI care. 📌 Takeaway : Early IL-6 measurement may become a valuable tool for clinicians, helping refine prognostication, guide decision-making, and align treatment strategies with patient outcomes. However, further multicenter validation and standardization are required before clinical implementation. #Trauma #NeurocriticalCare #TBI #Biomarkers #PrecisionMedicine #Neurosciences

Redefining Possibilities in CIDP Care. I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Jeffrey Allen, a neurologist and neuromuscular specialist at the University of Minnesota, to discuss the evolving landscape of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), and the important work led by the GBS|CIDP Foundation Leadership Collaborative to establish standardized definitions for key clinical terms used in both patient care and clinical research. Dr. Allen shared his insights on: - The value of clear definitions for terms such as relapse, response, refractory, and remission. - How patient voices helped reshape the meaning of “refractory” to reflect hope and treatment potential. - Emerging research into inflammation, the complement system, and biomarkers that may transform how we understand and track disease activity. 📺 Watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/eZfMNvZi #CIDP #Neurology #PatientCentricity #ClinicalResearch #GBSCIDPFoundation #MedicalInnovation #RefractoryCIDP #AutoimmuneNeuropathy

Navigating the complexities of acute stroke management is a constant challenge. Today, I want to highlight a key advancement in secondary stroke prevention: the targeted use of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). For years, single antiplatelet therapy with aspirin was the standard for most patients after an ischemic stroke or TIA. However, landmark trials like CHANCE, POINT, ATAMIS and THALES have reshaped our practice. Key takeaway for my fellow clinicians: Short-term DAPT (typically aspirin + clopidogrel) is now the gold standard for a specific subset of patients. This approach is highly effective for those with a non-cardioembolic minor ischemic stroke (NIHSS score 3 or less) or a high-risk TIA (ABCD2 score>3). Why this matters: * Efficacy: DAPT, when initiated within 24 hours of symptom onset, has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of early recurrent stroke, particularly within the first 21-90 days. * Duration is Key: The benefit is largely concentrated in the short term. Continuing DAPT for extended periods (beyond 90 days) can increase the risk of major bleeding, especially intracranial hemorrhage, without providing additional stroke prevention. For long-term prevention, we revert to single antiplatelet therapy. ***This is a powerful example of how evidence-based medicine allows us to precisely tailor our treatments for maximum benefit and minimal harm. It's not just about what we give, but when and for how long. ***What are your experiences and perspectives on implementing DAPT in your clinical practice? #Neurology #Stroke #DualAntiplateletTherapy #DAPT #StrokePrevention #EvidenceBasedMedicine #TIA #MedicalGuidelines #MedTwitter #Cardiology

Could a simple headache be the first sign of a heart attack? Our new systematic review explores this under-recognised link. I am excited to share our latest systematic review recently published in Cureus and indexed in PubMed: Title:  Cardiac Cephalgia as a Manifestation of Acute Coronary Events: A Systematic Review DOI: 10.7759/cureus.88398 PubMed Link: https://lnkd.in/eUU48JZs Key Highlights: ●     Cardiac Cephalgia (CC) is a rare, under-recognised presentation of myocardial ischemia where headache - not chest pain - is the primary symptom. ●     Often misdiagnosed as a primary headache disorder, leading to delayed diagnosis and potentially fatal outcomes such as ventricular arrhythmias or sudden cardiac death. ●     Our review analysed 10 studies involving 80,202 patients, highlighting: ○     CC can be the sole manifestation of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). ○     Rapid resolution of headaches with nitrate therapy or PCI provides crucial diagnostic clues. ○     A need for interdisciplinary collaboration between cardiology, neurology, and emergency medicine. ●     Clinical Implication:  Clinicians should consider cardiac evaluation in patients presenting with new-onset exertional headaches, especially those with cardiovascular risk factors. Why This Matters: Headache is rarely considered a cardiac symptom. By raising awareness about CC, we can improve early detection, avoid unnecessary neurological treatments, and save lives through timely cardiac interventions. Corresponding Author: Rosemary Siby  With contributions from an incredible multidisciplinary team of researchers. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eUU48JZs Have you encountered a patient with a headache that turned out to be a cardiac event? Let's discuss in the comments. #Cardiology #Neurology #Research #SystematicReview #MyocardialIschemia #Headache #MedicalEducation #AcuteCoronarySyndrome #CardiacCephalgia #cureus #pubmed #BCS #ESC #ACC

Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacterium linked to gum disease, may play a significant role in Alzheimer's disease by entering the bloodstream, reaching the brain, and triggering inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes. This bacterium produces toxic proteases called gingipains, which can damage brain cells and contribute to neuroinflammation, amyloid plaque formation, and tau pathology. Studies have found P. gingivalis in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, and its presence is associated with increased risk of cognitive decline. Research suggests that gingipain inhibitors may be a potential therapeutic target to prevent or slow disease progression. The connection between P. gingivalis and Alzheimer's highlights the importance of oral health in overall brain health, and further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and potential treatments. We are about to release our upcoming issue and we are open for new submissions and you can submit yours here: clinicalpractice@genesispub.org #AlzheimersDisease #PorphyromonasGingivalis #GumDisease #Neurodegeneration #Neuroinflammation #BrainHealth #NeurologicalDisorders #MedicalResearch #HealthcareInnovation

🚨 Rapport’s RAP-219 Delivers Positive Phase 2a Results in Focal Onset Seizures Key Highlights: • ⚡ Efficacy: RAP-219, a selective mGlu2/3 negative allosteric modulator, met primary endpoint with significant seizure reduction vs placebo in drug-resistant focal onset seizures. Patients also saw a 77.8% reduction in clinical seizures; 24% achieved seizure freedom over 8 weeks. • 🛡️ Safety: Well tolerated with a favourable profile — supports development as a non-sedating option. • 🔄 Next Steps: End-of-Phase 2 FDA meeting (Q4 2025); two Phase 3 trials planned (Q3 2026). Open-label safety trial and a long-acting injectable (LAI) formulation in development to improve adherence and expand utility. Why It Matters: 🔹 ~40% of epilepsy patients remain drug-resistant, highlighting urgent unmet need. 🔹 Represents one of the most advanced programs targeting the mGlu2/3 pathway in focal epilepsy. 🔹 Could shift prescribing patterns beyond incremental AEDs, addressing CNS side effects like sedation and cognitive burden. ✨ Takeaway: RAP-219’s Phase 2a success showcases a promising, differentiated mechanism in focal epilepsy — with potential to expand treatment choices for patients with limited options today. #Epilepsy #FocalOnsetSeizures #Neurology #Neuroscience #RAP219 #DrugDevelopment #ClinicalTrials #Innovation #PrecisionMedicine beyondsight Intelligence Source: https://lnkd.in/ezd2tgVz

RAP-219’s Phase 2a win is exciting — a novel mGlu2/3 approach showing seizure reduction with a favourable safety profile. With many patients still drug-resistant and existing AEDs limited by side effects, this could be a real step forward in focal epilepsy care. #Epilepsy #FocalOnsetSeizures #Neurology #Neuroscience #RAP219 #Keppra #Lamictal #Briviact #UCB #Eisai #DrugDevelopment #ClinicalTrials #Innovation #PrecisionMedicine

A new publication from Johana Isaza Correa, PhD, eleanor molloy and colleagues at School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, The Coombe Hospital, Irish Neonatal Health Alliance, and Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) looks at microRNA expression at birth and childhood following neonatal encephalopathy, examining it as potential biomarker of inflammation, brain development, and long-term outcomes. This study was supported by the Health Research Board (HRB). https://lnkd.in/eqQf9ij4

William Hu, MD, director for Center for Healthy Aging Research and chief of cognitive neurology and Alzheimer’s disease at Rutgers, says the test represents a significant advancement in accessibility but requires careful application in clinical settings. “The obvious impact is faster, easier, and more readily available detection of Alzheimer’s disease. However, like all tests, this and other tests continue to have important caveats."