Unravelling the gut-brain connection: a systematic review of migraine and the gut microbiome
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is substantial evidence linking migraines to gastrointestinal (GI) issues. Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and colitis often co-occur with migraines and GI symptoms are common among migraine patients. However, the evidence supporting the efficacy of gut microbiome-targeted therapies for managing migraines is limited. This systematic review aimed to describe the existing evidence of the gut microbiome in patients with migraine compared to healthy individuals. Additionally, it sought to examine how therapies targeting the gut microbiome including prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics, might influence clinical outcomes.
METHODS: We performed searches on Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library to identify studies in migraines and the gut microbiome, focusing on those which investigated the gut microbiome composition and gut microbiome-targeted therapies. Key data was extracted and analysed including study details, patient demographics, migraine type, comorbidities, and clinical outcomes. For gut microbiome composition studies, bacterial diversity and abundance was noted. For gut microbiome-targeted therapies studies, treatment types, dosages, and patient outcomes was recorded.
RESULTS: A significant difference between various genera of microbes was reported between migraine patients and controls in several studies. Bacteroidetes (also named Bacteroidota), proteobacteria, and firmicutes (also named Bacillota) phyla groups were found significantly…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
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