The impact of gut microbiota on brain and behaviour: implications for psychiatry : Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care

Journal Logo

NUTRITION AND PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTION: Edited by Labros S. Sidossis and Annemie M.W. Schols

The impact of gut microbiota on brain and behaviour

implications for psychiatry

Dinan, Timothy G.a; Cryan, John F.b

Author Information
Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care 18(6):p 552-558, November 2015. | DOI: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000221

Abstract

Purpose of review 

The gut microbiota has become a focus of research for those interested in the brain and behaviour. Here, we profile the gut microbiota in a variety of neuropsychiatric syndromes.

Recent findings 

Multiple routes of communication between the gut and brain have been established and these include the vagus nerve, immune system, short chain fatty acids and tryptophan. Developmentally, those born by caesarean section have a distinctly different microbiota in early life to those born per vaginum. At the other extreme, individuals who age with considerable ill-heath tend to show narrowing in microbial diversity. Recently, the gut microbiota has been profiled in a variety of conditions including autism, major depression and Parkinson's disease. There is still debate as to whether or not these changes are core to the pathophysiology or merely epiphenomenal.

Summary 

The current narrative suggests that certain neuropsychiatric disorders might be treated by targeting the microbiota either by microbiota transplantation, antibiotics or psychobiotics.

Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

You can read the full text of this article if you:

Access through Ovid