Review article: intestinal barrier dysfunction and central nervous system disorders--a controversial association.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gastroenterology
• Immunology

Background:

• The central nervous system (CNS) is influenced by environmental factors, with the intestinal barrier playing a role in regulating toxin entry and neuroactive compound expression.
• A complex gut-brain communication network suggests that alterations in the intestinal barrier may contribute to CNS disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing literature on the association between intestinal barrier dysfunction and the development of CNS disorders.
• To evaluate the current evidence linking gut permeability to conditions such as schizophrenia, autism, anxiety, depression, and neurodegeneration.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed.
• Keywords included: intestinal barrier, intestinal permeability, central nervous system, mental disorders, schizophrenia, autism, stress, anxiety, depression, and neurodegeneration.

Main Results:

• Studies on schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) showed mixed results regarding increased intestinal permeability.
• Approximately 43% of children with ASD and 35% of schizophrenia patients exhibited heightened urinary sugar excretion, indicating permeability issues.
• Some studies suggest dietary interventions may normalize gut permeability markers in ASD, but robust clinical evidence for behavioral improvement is lacking.

Conclusions:

• The evidence linking altered intestinal permeability to CNS disorders is currently limited and not definitively established.
• The therapeutic efficacy of targeting the gut barrier for managing neurological and behavioral aspects of CNS disorders remains unproven and warrants further research.