Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41892598›Full record

ReviewBrain sciences2026

The Effect of Traumatic Brain Injury on the Gastrointestinal System: A Comprehensive Review.

Ruhi K Shah, Justin J Lin, Tejaswi Makkapati, Arielle A Berkowitz, Brian D Greenwald

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Brain sciences, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Ruhi K ShahHackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA.
Justin J LinHackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA.
Tejaswi MakkapatiDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute at Hackensack Meridian Health, Edison, NJ 08820, USA.
Arielle A BerkowitzDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute at Hackensack Meridian Health, Edison, NJ 08820, USA.
Brian D GreenwaldDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute at Hackensack Meridian Health, Edison, NJ 08820, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant public health concern resulting in physical, cognitive, and behavioral impairments. Emerging evidence highlights a bidirectional relationship between brain injury and gut health, known as the brain-gut axis. This paper provides a comprehensive review of current literature exploring the relationship between TBI and various gastrointestinal (GI) pathologies, examining how brain injuries contribute to GI dysfunction and how gut health influences neurorecovery.

methodsA comprehensive search of peer-reviewed articles was conducted between March and June 2025 using databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane. Studies from 2010 onwards involving human subjects were screened. Search terms included combinations of "traumatic brain injury," "TBI," and "[gastrointestinal pathology]." Data regarding study design, population, GI outcomes, and proposed mechanisms were analyzed.

resultsTBI triggers secondary injury cascades, including neuroinflammation, dysautonomia, and gut microbiome dysbiosis. The review identifies a wide spectrum of TBI-associated GI disorders, including dysphagia, esophageal disorders, gastric disorders, and intestinal disorders. Bowel dysfunction, manifesting as constipation or incontinence, is prevalent due to neurogenic factors and cognitive impairments. Additionally, metabolic dysregulation following TBI leads to malnutrition, hyperglycemia, and hypoglycemia, all of which impact morbidity.

conclusionsThe GI system is integrally connected to TBI recovery through immune modulation and nutrient absorption. Dysfunction within the brain-gut axis, specifically altered motility, permeability, and inflammation, contributes to secondary brain injury and impedes neurological outcomes. Clinical assessment of GI dysfunction should be integrated into routine TBI care. Therapeutic strategies, including early enteral nutrition, are essential to optimize recovery and reduce systemic inflammation.

Indexed as

autonomic dysregulationgastrointestinal dysregulationgut–brain axistraumatic brain injury

Identifiers

PMID41892598
PMCPMC13023969

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.