A new study in JAMA Psychiatry suggests soft drink consumption may alter the gut microbiome in ways that raise the risk of depression—especially in women. Researchers found changes in key bacteria like Eggerthella helped mediate this link, pointing to the gut as a surprising middleman between sugar, microbes, and mood. The findings highlight diet as a powerful—and overlooked—lever in mental health.
Author: Abhay Panchal
History was made at Mayo Clinic, Arizona, where Dr. Norio Fukami became the first gastroenterologist to perform a fully robotic endoscopic submucosal dissection as part of EndoQuest’s PARADIGM Trial. Using the company’s Endoluminal Surgical System, he successfully removed a complex 4-cm colorectal lesion—demonstrating how robotics may soon transform advanced therapeutic endoscopy. The pivotal trial spans five leading U.S. institutions and could open the door to broader FDA authorization.
Johnson & Johnson has decided to withdraw its Linx device for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) from certain international markets after reassessing demand. The magnetic implant — designed to reinforce the lower esophageal sphincter — will, however, remain available in the U.S. The company insists safety and efficacy are unchanged, framing the move as part of a broader portfolio realignment. Which countries are losing access, and what does this signal for the future of GERD innovation?
A sweeping survey has uncovered troubling signals for America’s already overstretched healthcare system: more than half of frontline workers plan to switch jobs in 2026. Burnout, understaffing, and feelings of being undervalued dominate the responses, while only a fraction believe their employers are investing in their future. With a looming shortage of nearly 700,000 physicians and nurses by 2037, the findings raise urgent questions about the sustainability of care delivery. Surprisingly, the survey also points to one factor that could help stem the exodus — and it isn’t just pay.
Ambulatory Surgery Centers have long dominated outpatient GI care, but a growing body of evidence is challenging that status quo. A new paper in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology highlights why office-based endoscopy may not just be a viable alternative — but, in some cases, the smarter option. From efficiency gains to safety comparisons and financial implications, the findings could reshape how gastroenterologists think about delivering care.
The American Gastroenterological Association has issued new clinical guidance on gastroparesis, emphasizing a personalized, patient-centered approach over rigid treatment pathways. The guideline includes 12 conditional recommendations shaped by both clinical evidence and patient input. Key updates include the preference for a four-hour gastric emptying scintigraphy study (over shorter ≤2-hour protocols) for accurate diagnosis, and metoclopramide or erythromycin as first-line pharmacologic options. Beyond medication, the guidance urges shared decision-making, highlights unmet needs, and calls for innovation to expand treatment options for this challenging condition.
Infants delivered by C-section are known to carry a distinct gut microbiome that increases their risk of allergies, asthma, and other immune-related conditions later in life. In a new randomized controlled trial, researchers tested a personalized microbiome-based program that combined stool microbiome reports, tailored recommendations, education, and coaching for parents. Within six months, C-section infants in the intervention arm showed a dramatic rise in beneficial Bifidobacterium (especially B. infantis), improved capacity to digest human milk oligosaccharides, and a “C-section index” resembling that of vaginally delivered infants.
The gut-skin axis (GSA) is emerging as a key player in linking gastrointestinal health to dermatological diseases through immune, metabolic, and microbial pathways. This narrative review highlights how dysbiosis, leaky gut, and systemic inflammation can manifest as skin disorders like acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa — often serving as early warning signs of underlying GI disease. For gastroenterologists, the GSA offers both a diagnostic lens and a therapeutic opportunity. Microbiome-targeted interventions — probiotics, prebiotics, dietary strategies, and even fecal microbiota transplantation — show promise in reshaping systemic inflammation and improving outcomes in both gut and skin conditions.
This Medscape Gastroenterology commentary by Grace E. Kim, MD highlights why mentorship should be a priority for new GI fellows, even amid the pressures of scoping skills and consults. The right mentor, she argues, can shape not only fellowship success but also long-term career trajectories — especially for those aiming for subspecialties like IBD or interventional GI. Dr. Kim offers practical guidance: identify your true passions rather than chasing reputations, research mentors’ recent work and real-world commitments, and remain patient if the right fit isn’t immediate. Program directors can often help, and fellows should consider building a “team” of mentors…
A first-of-its-kind real-world study reports that an AI-enhanced digital collaborative care model (Ayble Health) delivered big, durable gains for people with IBS—without requiring a brick-and-mortar “IBS clinic.” In a prospective single-arm cohort of 202 adults with active symptoms, participants chose among three pathways—personalized elimination diet, brain–gut behavioral therapy (GDH/CBT/ACT), and a care team with coach support—while AI mined multimodal data to flag patterns and suggest next steps. Average symptom burden (IBS-SSS) fell by 140 points, and 86% achieved a clinically meaningful ≥50-point drop, with improvements emerging by week 4 and persisting out to 42 weeks; benefits were seen across IBS…