Where scientific discovery meets clinical relevance.
This issue explores three perspectives on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): a large trial finding no added benefit of donor faecal microbiota transplantation over placebo, a neuroimaging meta-analysis highlighting brain changes associated with IBS, and research linking bowel urgency with psychological burden and poorer quality of life. Together, these studies highlight the complexity of gut-brain interactions and the importance of considering both gastrointestinal symptoms and psychological well-being in clinical care.
The Journal Club is curated by Karolina Tykwinska, PrecisionBiotics™ Science Lead. Karolina and the PrecisionBiotics™ team review the latest publications across gastroenterology, microbiome
research, and gut-brain therapeutics, selecting the studies most relevant to clinical decision-making.
October 2026 edition issue's papers
01
Peter Holger Johnsen et al.
Faecal Microbiota Transplantation in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (REFIT2): A Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Phase 3 Trial
The Lancet, 24 Sept 2026
Summary
In 448 patients with moderate-to-severe IBS, a single-dose donor FMT delivered by rectal enema was no more effective than placebo (autologous FMT). Approximately 40% of patients receiving donor FMT and 38% receiving placebo achieved clinically meaningful improvement in IBS symptoms.
Why It Matters for Clinical Practice
The strongest recent clinical trial in microbiome-based IBS therapy.
The study suggests that broad microbiome replacement alone is unlikely to be an effective treatment strategy for unselected IBS patients.
It supports guideline recommendations that FMT should not be routinely offered for IBS outside research settings.
02
Valentino Marcel Tahamata et al.
Distributed Structural and Functional Brain Alterations Associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Coordinate-based Multimodal Meta-analysis
Translational Psychiatry, 14 Aug 2026
Summary
Meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies identified reproducible alterations in brain regions involved in pain perception, interoception, emotion regulation and sensory processing, including the insula, amygdala, thalamus and cingulate cortex.
Why It Matters for Clinical Practice
Reinforces the modern concept of IBS as a disorder of gut-brain interaction rather than a purely gastrointestinal condition.
Provides biological evidence supporting multidisciplinary management approaches, including psychological therapies and neuromodulators, particularly in patients with significant pain, anxiety or depression.
03
Sylvester R. Groen et al.
Phenotyping Increased Urge to Defecate in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Analysis of Symptom, Sensory, and Psychological Profiles
United European Gastroenterology Journal, Sept 2026
Summary
Patients with IBS experienced a significantly higher prevalence of urgency/urge-to-defecate symptoms than healthy controls. The most symptomatic group also exhibited greater depressive symptom burden, worse quality of life and more severe GI symptoms.
Why It Matters for Clinical Practice
Highlights that psychological burden and GI symptoms are closely interconnected.
Suggests that urgency may represent a clinically meaningful phenotype that should be assessed alongside bowel habits, helping HCPs identify patients who may benefit from more holistic, gut-brain-focused management.
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