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Targeting the gut microbiota to influence brain development and function in early life

Shugui Wang1, Louise Harvey1, Rocio Martin1

  • 1Danone Nutricia Research, Singapore.

Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
|September 10, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Early life gut microbiota development influences brain function. Nutritional interventions may positively modulate this gut-brain axis communication during critical infant development periods.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiome research
  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental biology

Background:

  • Infant gut microbiota rapidly diversifies in the first 2-3 years of life.
  • Disruptions to the infant gut microbiota can impact brain development.
  • The gut-brain axis involves complex hormonal, neural, immune, and metabolic pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review associations between gut microbiota and early life brain development.
  • To explore potential mechanisms underlying the gut-brain axis in infants.
  • To discuss nutritional interventions for modulating the microbiota-brain relationship.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on infant gut microbiota and brain development.
  • Synthesis of current understanding of gut-brain communication pathways.
  • Exploration of potential mechanisms linking microbiota, gut, and brain development.

Main Results:

  • Established associations exist between the gut microbiota and brain development/function in early life.
  • Hormonal, neural, immune, and metabolic pathways are key mediators of gut-brain communication.
  • Nutritional interventions show potential for modulating the gut microbiota and brain development.

Conclusions:

  • The infant gut microbiota plays a critical role in brain development.
  • Understanding the mechanisms of the gut-brain axis is crucial for early life interventions.
  • Targeted nutritional strategies can influence the gut microbiota to support healthy brain development.

Keywords:
Brain developmentEarly lifeMicrobiotaNutritionPathwaysPrebioticsSynbiotics

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