Genes, emotions and gut microbiota: The next frontier for the gastroenterologist

Figure 4 Signals involved in the health/disease process. Brain dopaminergic pathway and energy balance regulate emotional eating behaviors. Negative emotion contributes to alterations in gut microbiota composition. At the same time, gut microbiota environment and its metabolites communicate to the central to the brain and regulate the brain’s reward system and energy balance. CNS: Central nervous system.