Gut-Brain Actions Underlying Comorbid Neuropsychiatric Disturb Associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing and remitting disorder characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and its associated with different neurological and psychiatric disorders, which are integrated among the extra-intestinal manifestation of this disease. In fact, epidemiological studies have shown an increased incidence of depression in patients with colitis, in which strong inflammation in the gut occurs. The possible mechanisms connecting gut inflammation and neuroinflammation in the brain could be via an increase in peripheral cytokines or via damaged nerve terminals in the gut. Recent evidence demonstrated that the gut-brain-axis has a central function in the perpetuation of IBS, and, for this reason it can be considered as a possible therapeutic target. N-Palmitoylethanolamine-oxazoline (PEA-OXA) possesses anti-inflammatory and potent neuroprotective effects. Although, recent studies have explained the neuroprotective properties of PEA-OXA, nothing is known about its effects on gut-brain axis during colitis.