The Microbiome–Imaging Axis: Can Radiology Detect Microbial Influences on Disease?

Naeem Hamza*, Majbour Lana, Shtat Shahad Hazar Ismael, Wardeh Mahdi, MHD Bashir Almonajjed and Alexandre Wirman

The microbiome–imaging axis, or radio microbiomics, is an emerging field that combines medical imaging with gut microbiome analysis to map how the gut communicates with distant organs, particularly the brain. While traditional research often focuses on simple correlations, this framework uses structural and functional imaging to visualize the actual physical impact of gut dysbiosis on host tissue. This review explores how microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and bile acids, act as molecular messengers that trigger changes in brain connectivity, cortical thickness, and liver fat deposition. We examine the clinical utility of these findings as non-invasive biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and NAFLD. Additionally, we discuss the development of pathogen-specific PET tracers that allow doctors to see active infections directly, rather than just the body’s inflammatory response.

Keywords:

Published on: Jan 8, 2026 Pages: 1-10

Full Text PDF Full Text HTML DOI: 10.17352/2455-3492.000073
CrossMark Publons Harvard Library HOLLIS Search IT Semantic Scholar Get Citation Base Search Scilit OAI-PMH ResearchGate Academic Microsoft GrowKudos Universite de Paris UW Libraries SJSU King Library SJSU King Library NUS Library McGill DET KGL BIBLiOTEK JCU Discovery Universidad De Lima WorldCat VU on WorldCat