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Fetal, neonatal, and infant microbiome: Perturbations and subsequent effects on brain development and behavior

Rochellys Diaz Heijtz1

  • 1Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine
|June 4, 2016
PubMed

Insights

The gut microbiota, a complex microbial community, significantly influences brain development and function. Disturbances in its early assembly can negatively impact motor, social, and cognitive functions.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • The human gastrointestinal tract hosts a complex gut microbiota crucial for early life development.
  • Gut microbiota influences epithelial barrier function, homeostasis, angiogenesis, and immune system development.
  • Emerging research highlights the gut microbiota's broader impact on host physiology, including brain development and behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on the gut microbiota's impact on brain development.
  • To explore how disruptions in gut microbiota assembly affect motor, social, and cognitive functions.
  • To consider the relationship between the gut microbiota and the developing brain's metabolic needs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent scientific findings.
  • Analysis of studies investigating gut microbiota-brain axis.
  • Synthesis of research on microbiota's role in neurodevelopment.

Main Results:

  • Gut microbiota plays a critical role in programming brain development and behavior.
  • Altered gut microbiota assembly and maturation are linked to impaired motor, social, and cognitive development.
  • The gut microbiota may influence the metabolic demands of the developing brain.

Conclusions:

  • The gut microbiota is a key environmental factor influencing neurodevelopment.
  • Early-life gut microbiota disturbances have long-term consequences for brain function.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the gut microbiota-brain axis.

Keywords:
AntibioticsAutism spectrum disorderBreastfeedingCognitionCommensal gut microbiotaGerm-free miceNeurodevelopment

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