Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41240244›Full record

ReviewJournal of molecular neuroscience : MN2025

Targeting the Gut-Brain Axis Through Insulin-like Growth Factors: Therapeutic Implications and Future Directions.

Navodi Sandamini Jayathilaka, Arunodya Vishwanthi Weththasinghe, Chanuka Irosh Amarasekara, Edippuli Arachchige Dona Hiruni Amasha, Krishanthi Jayamini Wijekoon, Sayed Mohammad Firdous

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of molecular neuroscience : MN, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Navodi Sandamini JayathilakaDepartment of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-9963-7613
Arunodya Vishwanthi WeththasingheDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, KIU, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka.
Chanuka Irosh AmarasekaraDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Edippuli Arachchige Dona Hiruni AmashaDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-8961-1089
Krishanthi Jayamini WijekoonDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Sayed Mohammad FirdousDepartment of Pharmacology, Calcutta Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology & AHS, Uluberia, Howrah, West Bengal, India. firdous.oncology@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4629-7490

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The gut-brain axis represents a sophisticated bidirectional communication network connecting the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system through neural, endocrine, and immune pathways. Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), particularly IGF-1 and IGF-2, function as pivotal mediators within this communication framework. These polypeptide growth factors regulate intestinal barrier integrity, microbiota homeostasis, neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity mechanisms. Clinical evidence from 1989 to 2024 demonstrates that gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids enhance IGF-1 production through novel molecular mechanisms. This narrative review examines IGF roles in gut-brain communication and evaluates therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and depression, as well as inflammatory bowel disorders. Current clinical trials investigating IGF-based interventions show preliminary promising results, though studies remain limited in scope and patient numbers. Key therapeutic challenges include delivery mechanisms across biological barriers, oncogenic safety concerns related to cell proliferation, and substantial individual variability in treatment responses. Future directions emphasize development of tissue-specific IGF modulators, microbiome-targeted interventions, and precision medicine approaches utilizing advanced biomarkers. Understanding IGF-mediated gut-brain communication presents therapeutic opportunities for complex pathological conditions simultaneously affecting gastrointestinal and neurological systems.

Indexed as

BrainBrain-Gut AxisGastrointestinal TractInsulin-Like Growth Factor INeurodegenerative DiseasesSomatomedinsAnimalsGastrointestinal MicrobiomeHumansInsulin-Like PeptidesInsulin-Like Growth Factor IInsulin-Like PeptidesSomatomedinsGut-brain axisIGF-1IGF-2Insulin-like growth factorsMicrobiotaNeuroplasticityTherapeutic targeting

Identifiers

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.