More than just a number: the gut microbiota and brain function across the extremes of life
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Date
2024
Authors
Nuzum, Nathan D.
Deady, Clara
Kittel-Schneider, Sarah
Cryan, John F.
O'Mahony, Siobhain M.
Clarke, Gerard
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Published Version
Abstract
Understanding the interrelationship between the gut microbiota and host physiology, although still in its relative infancy, has taken important steps forward over the past decade. In the context of brain disorders including those characterized by neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative changes there have been important advances. However, initially research involved correlational analyses, had limited translational scope, and lacked functional assessments. Thus, largescale longitudinal clinical investigations that assess causation and underlying mechanisms via in depth analysis methods are needed. In neurodegeneration research, strong causal evidence now links the gut microbiome to Alzheimer's (AD), and Parkinson's Disease (PD), as supported by human-to-animal transplantation studies. Longitudinal interventions are being conducted in AD, PD, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Neurodevelopmental research has also seen a boon in microbiome-related clinical research including in autism, Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia, which is confirming prior animal model work regarding the key time-windows in the gut microbiome important for infant cognition. While recent research advances represent important progress, fundamental knowledge gaps and obstacles remain. Knowing how and why the gut microbiome changes at the extremes of life will develop our mechanistic understanding and help build the evidence base as we strive toward counteracting microbial missteps with precision therapeutic interventions.
Description
Keywords
Neurodevelopment , Neurodegeneration , Gut bacteria , Gut-brain-axis , Early-life , Older adult
Citation
Nuzum, N.D., Deady, C., Kittel-Schneider, S., Cryan, J.F., O’Mahony, S.M. and Clarke, G. (2024) ‘More than just a number: the gut microbiota and brain function across the extremes of life’, Gut Microbes, 16(1), 2418988 (42pp). https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2024.2418988