Research progress on the mechanisms of comorbidity between functional gastrointestinal disorders and mental...

A growing body of evidence suggests a high prevalence of comorbidity between functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and mental health conditions, with clinical studies consistently highlighting strong associations between FGIDs and psychosocial factors. Despite the well-established connection, the exploration of the underlying mechanisms in animal models remains relatively limited. This review synthesizes key findings from academic research published over the past decade, systematically investigating the potential mechanisms linking FGIDs with psychiatric disorders. Core mechanisms include the gut-brain axis, gut microbiota interactions, neuroimmune processes, dysregulation of the endocrine system, and inflammatory signaling pathways. By integrating current interdisciplinary evidence, this review seeks to advance foundational research on FGID-psychiatric comorbidity and provide insights into the development of more targeted therapeutic strategies. Ultimately, deepening our understanding of the mechanisms driving this comorbidity holds the potential to alleviate patient burdens and improve healthcare outcomes through mechanism-driven interventions.