Microbiome and diseases: Neurological disorders

Abstract

An increasing amount of evidence implicates that the gastrointestinal microbiota affects a vast range of neuronal functions from neurodevelopment and synaptic signaling to behavior. This microbe-host interplay occurs at the level of the peripheral and central nervous system and is commonly referred to as “microbiome-gut-brain axis.” Preclinical and clinical data also highlight the significant association of gut microbiome dysbiosis and the development and progression of psychiatric and neurological disorders. The present chapter will outline how the gut microbiota signals to the brain and how it affects brain development and function describing representative examples. Finally, it will discuss the complex interaction of intestinal microbiota and neuropsychiatric disorders.