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Multimodal MRI and multiomics reveal high-risk neurophenotype in brain-gut circuits as therapeutic target for Crohn's disease

delete2026-04-01
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PRE
AI
L
Li, Xuehua
Z
Zhang, Ruonan
S
Shen, Xiaodi
L
Lin, Shaochun
W
Wang, Chuhuai
Z
Zheng, Weikai
K
Kong, Weimiao
L
Lin, Zihao
L
Li, Rongchang
L
Liu, Caiguang
C
Cao, Xin
H
Huang, Li
H
He, Weitao
L
Lin, Jinjiang
L
Li, Zhoulei
I
Iacucci, Marietta
G
Ghosh, Subrata
C
Chen, Minhu
杨光 (Yang, Guang)
W
Wang, Yejun
M
Mao, Ren
DOI:10.1002/inmd.70122delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
The brain-gut axis shapes Crohn's disease (CD) pathogenesis, yet CD-associated neurophenotypes lack defined clinical and mechanistic significance. This work aimed to define these neurophenotypes, assess their prognostic impact, elucidate neurophenotype-driven progression mechanisms using multi-omics, and validate their therapeutic potential in vivo. 109 CD patients were prospectively recruited from two centers and underwent baseline multimodal neuro-MRI, MR enterography, ileocolonoscopy, and fecal/blood sample collection. The neurophenotypes were characterized using a multimodal neuro-MRI model developed from 13 of 13,870 features. 83 patients were followed up for disease progression, with repeated brain-gut assessments. Multi-omics (fecal microbiome/metabolomics, serum metabolomics/neurotransmitters) were used to decode the mechanisms underlying neurophenotype-driven progression. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice with different neurophenotypes were treated with repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to explore its therapeutic potential. Multimodal neuro-MRI accurately mapped CD-specific neural signatures, stratifying patients into high-risk (neurophenotype score >= 0.45) and low-risk neurophenotypes with robust cross-center validity (training cohort AUC = 0.842, test cohort AUC = 0.824). High-risk neurophenotype was identified as an independent predictor of accelerated disease progression (Hazard ratio = 15.46, p = 0.030), independent of intestinal inflammation. Integrated multi-omics revealed that the high-risk neurophenotype contributed to CD progression through microbial-metabolic-neurotransmitter networks where tryptophan emerged as the central regulatory hub. Serum tryptophan levels were negatively correlated with neurophenotype severity and intestinal disease progression. rTMS targeting high-risk neurophenotype in DSS-induced colitis mice elevated tryptophan levels and ameliorated intestinal disease activity. This study redefines the high-risk neurophenotype as a sustained pathogenic driver rather than a mere phenomenon, proposing brain-gut axis modulation as a promising therapeutic strategy distinct from conventional anti-inflammatory approaches.
Keywords:
Crohn's disease
intestinal disease progression
multimodal MRI
neurophenotype

Journal

I
INTERDISCIPLINARY MEDICINE
IF:
13.6
Papers:
47
Citations:
0

Organization

E
east china normal university
Scholars:
3.0W
Papers: 2.1W
Citations: 25
S
Sun Yat sen University
Scholars:
5.9K
Papers: 1.6K
Citations: 1.8W
U
university college cork
Scholars:
1.9K
Papers: 799
Citations: 0
S
shenzhen university
Scholars:
4.4W
Papers: 3.4W
Citations: 72
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