Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis and ED

Eating disorders (ED) and gastrointestinal (GI) problems are closely interrelated. Additionally, the GI microbiota is perturbed in patients with ED and particularly in anorexia nervosa (AN) when compared to healthy controls. These perturbations are not restored after weight gain in AN. The GI microbiota influences central nervous system function and behavior by modulating signaling pathways of the microbiota-gut-brain axis. As a consequence, therapeutics targeting the GI microbiota increasingly become of interest for modulating mood and stress resilience but also as adjunct treatment of psychiatric conditions and ED. Modulating the gut microbiota may support treatment and compliance, but to which degree these approaches are effective to the current treatment procedure is unclear and is subject to further research at this stage. In this chapter we first provide an overview of the relationship between GI problems and ED, followed by insights on the microbiota-gut-brain axis and then specifically summarize the findings on GI microbiota in ED. Finally, we address the topic gut-brain modulation.