Gut microbial molecules in behavioural and neurodegenerative conditions
Abstract
Mounting evidence suggests that the gut microbiome impacts brain development and function. Gut–brain connections may be mediated by an assortment of microbial molecules that are produced in the gastrointestinal tract, which can subsequently permeate many organs, including sometimes the brain. Studies in animal models have identified molecular cues propagated from intestinal bacteria to the brain that can affect neurological function and/or neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative conditions. Herein, we describe bacterial metabolites with known or suspected neuromodulatory activity, define mechanisms of signalling pathways from the gut microbiota to the brain and discuss direct effects that gut bacterial molecules are likely exerting on specific brain cells. Many discoveries are recent, and the findings described in this Perspective are largely novel and yet to be extensively validated. However, expanding research into the dynamic molecular communications between gut microorganisms and the CNS continues to uncover critical and previously unappreciated clues in understanding the pathophysiology of behavioural, psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases.
Additional Information
© 2020 Springer Nature Limited. Accepted 09 September 2020. Published 16 October 2020. Author Contributions. S.K.M. and B.D.N. researched data for the article and made substantial contributions to the discussion of content, writing, reviewing and editing of the manuscript before submission. R.K.-D. contributed to the review and editing of the manuscript before submission. Competing interests. S.K.M. has financial interest in Axial Biotherapeutics. B.D.N. and R.K.-D. declare no competing interests. Peer review information. Nature Reviews Neuroscience thanks Peter Holzer, who co-reviewed with Aitak Farzi; John Cryan; and Mauro Costa-Mattioli for their contribution to the peer review of this work.Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 106190
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41583-020-00381-0
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20201021-150634702
- Created
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2020-10-21Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-16Created from EPrint's last_modified field
- Caltech groups
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering