Microbiota, GI Motility, and Therapeutics in Neuroenteric Aging

The gut–brain axis represents a complex, bidirectional communication network integrating neural, immune, endocrine, and microbial pathways that influence gastrointestinal and central nervous system function. Aging introduces profound changes across this axis, including shifts in gut microbiota composition, altered metabolite production, impaired barrier integrity, and changes in motility and enteric nervous system function. These alterations are increasingly linked to systemic inflammation, frailty, disorders of gut–brain interaction, and neurodegenerative disease. Despite rapid advances in microbiome science and neurogastroenterology, the field remains fragmented, with limited integration of mechanistic insights into clinically actionable strategies. A more unified understanding of how aging reshapes gut–brain signaling is essential to identify biomarkers, refine disease models, and develop targeted interventions that improve both gastrointestinal and neurological health across all age groups.This Research Topic aims to address a central challenge in modern medicine: the incomplete and siloed understanding of how aging modifies the gut–brain axis and contributes to both gastrointestinal and neurocognitive disease. While preclinical and early clinical studies have identified key roles for microbiota, metabolites, diet, and motility, translation into effective diagnostics and therapies remains limited by heterogeneity in study design, population variability, and insufficient mechanistic integration. This issue seeks to bridge these gaps by bringing together interdisciplinary research that links fundamental biology with clinical application. Emphasis will be placed on studies that move beyond association toward causality, identify actionable biomarkers, and test targeted interventions. By integrating advances in microbiome science, nutrition, neurogastroenterology, and systems biology, this collection aims to define pathways amenable to intervention and highlight scalable therapeutic strategies. Ultimately, the goal is to accelerate the development of precision approaches that improve resilience, function, and quality of life in aging populations.This Research Topic welcomes submissions that advance understanding of the gut–brain axis in aging across basic, translational, and clinical domains. Topics of interest include the following, but not limited to:- Age-related changes in gut microbiota and function- Microbial metabolites and neuroimmune signaling- Nutrition and diet–microbiome interactions- Gastrointestinal motility and enteric neurobiology- Disorders of gut–brain interaction in older adults- Links to neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disease.Studies employing multi-omics, biomarker discovery, interventional trials, and mechanistic models are encouraged.Manuscripts may include original research, narrative or systematic reviews, and brief communications; high-impact case reports will be considered selectively when they provide novel mechanistic or therapeutic insight. Submissions should emphasize translational relevance, methodological rigor, and the integration of gastrointestinal and neurological perspectives, with particular interest in work that informs therapeutic development or precision medicine approaches. Topic editors: Richard Manfrady, Silvia Turroni Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83783/microbiota-gi-motility-and-therapeutics-in-neuroenteric-aging