Description
Array 2, 20, 22 – Gut-Brain Barrier Health Screen
This test is a combination panel by Cyrex that merges three arrays.
What does this test measure?
- Array 2 (Intestinal Antigenic Permeability) which tests for antibodies to intestinal barrier components (like Occludin, Zonulin) and bacterial endotoxins (LPS) – essentially indicating “leaky gut” if positive.
- Array 20 (Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability) which looks for antibodies to blood-brain barrier proteins (maybe S100 or other endothelial proteins) – indicating a “leaky brain barrier” if immune reactivity is present.
- Array 22 (Irritable Bowel/SIBO Screen) which detects antibodies to bacterial cytotoxins and cytoskeletal proteins (like vinculin, cytolethal distending toxin B etc.) – markers associated with post-infectious IBS and SIBO.
Who is this test most suitable for?
- People with prior GI infections or traveler’s diarrhea that triggered chronic IBS
- High stress or poor diet individuals (stress can degrade gut barrier)
- Those with multiple concussions or systemic inflammation concerned about BBB
- Patients with autoimmune issues looking to assess gut-brain involvement
Clinical Use
By combining three arrays, this panel provides a comprehensive assessment of barrier integrity in both the gut and the brain, and it helps determine whether autoimmune-like processes stemming from gut infections might be involved in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). For instance, a patient experiencing brain fog along with gastrointestinal issues may show signs of gut barrier damage (as indicated by a positive result for zonulin/occludin antibodies in Array 2) and problems with the blood-brain barrier (indicated by a positive result in Array 20). Additionally, there may be evidence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) through positive results for anti-vinculin or anti-CDTB antibodies in Array 22.
Such findings suggest a potential problem with the gut-brain axis, where a previous infection could have contributed to the development of IBS through an autoimmune response affecting gut nerves. This systemic inflammation may also impact the blood-brain barrier. Clinically, if these arrays yield positive results, possible interventions could include gut healing protocols to restore tight junctions, antimicrobial or prokinetic therapies for addressing SIBO, and neuroprotective strategies. This forward-thinking test aligns well with the understanding that gut health significantly influences neurological health.
