Microbiome–Gut–Brain Axis

Abstract

Technological advances have facilitated a huge increase in our understanding of the composition and diversity of the gut microbiome, and efforts to define the influence of this virtual organ on human physiology are a burgeoning area of research. Important concepts have emerged including that of a core microbiome, distinct enterotypes, and age-related shifts in composition, which are being linked to adverse health outcomes. In tandem, a new research narrative in the field of neuroscience positions the gut microbiome as a key player in communication along the gut-brain axis. This has heralded the revised concept of the microbiome-gut-brain axis. Important research has highlighted alterations in the composition and stability of the gut microbiome in clinical populations linked to CNS-related disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), obesity, and autism spectrum disorders. A variety of preclinical strategies have underlined the importance of the gastrointestinal microbial community for the expression of animal behaviors with relevance to pain, cognition, depression, and anxiety. This has profound implications across preventative, diagnostic, and therapeutic domains. It is clear that continued efforts to understand and favorably manipulate the gut microbiome have the potential to be a transformative venture and will likely accrue multiple health benefits. Synonyms Brain-gut-enteric microbiota axis; Brain-gut-microbiome axis Definition A bidirectional communication network between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract that includes the central nervous system, the sympathetic and parasympathetic arms of the autonomic nervous system, the neuroendocrine and neuroimmune systems, the enteric nervous system, and the collection of microorganisms and their genomes in the gut habitat.