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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
14:04
Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Emotion Regulation
Published on: August 26, 2011
Gut-to-brain interoceptive pathways in emotion-related behaviors
Tomofumi Otsuki1, Takako Ichiki1, Miho Terunuma1
1Division of Oral Biochemistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan.
Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience
|July 9, 2026
Summary
Gut-to-brain pathways, especially via the vagus nerve, significantly influence emotions and motivation. Understanding these neural connections is key to explaining how gut signals shape affective behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gastroenterology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Emotion and motivation involve complex brain processing of internal and external signals.
- Gut-to-brain communication is increasingly recognized for its role in affective and motivational behaviors.
- Advances in genetic techniques illuminate neural circuits linking the gut to behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on gut-to-brain neural pathways.
- To focus on vagal afferent and interoceptive mechanisms.
- To explore spinal and enteric nervous system contributions to behavioral regulation.
Main Methods:
- Review of current scientific literature.
- Analysis of studies using genetic manipulation techniques.
- Focus on vagal, spinal, and enteric nervous system pathways.
Main Results:
- Gut signals critically shape emotion-related and motivational behaviors.
- Vagal and interoceptive pathways are central to this communication.
- Spinal and enteric pathways also play a role in behavioral regulation.
Conclusions:
- Understanding gut-to-brain signaling is essential for explaining affective states.
- Neural pathways from the gut to the brain are crucial for behavior.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate these complex interactions.
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