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A Gut-on-a-Chip Model to Study the Gut Microbiome-Nervous System Axis

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A gut (microbiome) feeling about the brain.

Eoin Sherwin¹, Kieran Rea, Timothy G Dinan

¹aAPC Microbiome Institute bDepartment of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science cDepartment of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.

Current Opinion in Gastroenterology

|January 14, 2016

Summary

The gut microbiome communicates with the brain, influencing neurodevelopment and behavior. Understanding this microbiome-gut-brain axis may lead to new therapies for mood and behavioral disorders.

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Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

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Published on: October 15, 2019

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Microbiology
Psychiatry

Background:

The gut microbiome and brain engage in bidirectional communication via the microbiome-gut-brain axis.
Recent research highlights the axis's role in neurodevelopment and behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent findings on the microbiome-gut-brain axis.
To explore its influence on neurodevelopment and behavior.

Main Methods:

Literature review of current research on the microbiome-gut-brain axis.
Analysis of mechanisms linking gut microbiota to brain function.

Main Results:

Gut bacteria signal to the brain, affecting neurotransmission, neurogenesis, and microglia activation.
Stress impacts microbiota, and microbiota influence stress sensitivity.
Microbiota dysregulation is linked to psychiatric disorders like depression.

Conclusions:

Understanding the microbiome-gut-brain axis mechanisms is key.
Novel microbiome-based therapies for mood and behavioral disorders are potential outcomes.