Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 3, 2026

09:18
A Gut-on-a-Chip Model to Study the Gut Microbiome-Nervous System Axis
Published on: July 28, 2023
3.5K
Microbiome-microglia connections via the gut-brain axis
Reem Abdel-Haq1, Johannes C M Schlachetzki2, Christopher K Glass2
1Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA rabdelha@caltech.edu.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|November 3, 2018
Summary
The gut microbiome influences brain immune cell function, impacting neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Research explores microbial treatments for brain disorders via gut-brain axis communication.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Microglia are brain immune cells crucial for neural function and disease.
- Microglial dysfunction is linked to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Factors influencing microglial activity, including gut signals, are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of the gut microbiome in microglial development and function.
- To explore the gut-brain axis in neurological disease pathogenesis.
- To highlight potential microbial therapies for brain disorders.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical and clinical studies on gut microbiome and microglia.
- Analysis of research on gut-brain axis communication.
- Synthesis of findings related to microglial function in homeostatic and disease states.
Main Results:
- The gut microbiome significantly regulates microglial maturation and function.
- Altered gut microbial composition is associated with neurological disorders.
- Bidirectional gut-brain communication influences disease progression.
Conclusions:
- The gut microbiome is a key modulator of microglial activity in the brain.
- Targeting the gut microbiome offers potential therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases.
- Further research is needed to develop novel microbial treatments for brain disorders.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
66.1K
The response to stress—be it physical or psychological, acute or chronic—involves activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is part of the neuroendocrine system because it involves both neuronal and hormonal communication. Its function is to regulate homeostatic systems—metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune—providing the necessary means to respond to a stressor.
66.1K
Perpendicular-Axis Theorem
4.6K
The perpendicular-axis theorem states that the moment of inertia of a planar object about an axis perpendicular to its plane is equal to the sum of the moments of inertia about two mutually perpendicular concurrent axes lying in the plane of the body.
Consider a circular disc of mass M and radius R lying along an x-y plane. The origin lies at the center of the disc, and the z-axis is perpendicular to the disc's plane. All three axes coincide at the disc's center. The moment of inertia of this...
Consider a circular disc of mass M and radius R lying along an x-y plane. The origin lies at the center of the disc, and the z-axis is perpendicular to the disc's plane. All three axes coincide at the disc's center. The moment of inertia of this...
4.6K
Parallel-axis Theorem
8.3K
The parallel-axis theorem provides a convenient and quick method of finding the moment of inertia of an object about an axis parallel to the axis passing through its center of mass. Consider a thin rod as an example. There is a striking similarity between the process of finding the moment of inertia of a thin rod about an axis through its middle, where the center of mass lies, and about an axis through its end using the conventional method. In the conventional method, the concept of linear mass...
8.3K
Dietary Connections
61.9K
In biological systems, most metabolic pathways are interconnected. The cellular respiration processes that convert glucose to ATP—such as glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, and the citric acid cycle—tie into those that break down other organic compounds. As a result, various foods—from apples to cheese to guacamole—end up as ATP. In addition to carbohydrates, food also contains proteins and lipids—such as cholesterol and fats. All of these organic compounds are used...
61.9K
Load along a Single Axis
646
In structural engineering, the analysis of beams subjected to varying loads is a critical aspect of understanding the behavior and performance of these structural elements. A common scenario involves a beam subjected to a combination of different load distributions.
Consider a beam of length L subjected to a varying load, which is a combination of parabolic and trapezoidal load distribution along the x-axis. In this case, it is essential to determine the resultant loads, their locations, and...
Consider a beam of length L subjected to a varying load, which is a combination of parabolic and trapezoidal load distribution along the x-axis. In this case, it is essential to determine the resultant loads, their locations, and...
646
Parallel-Axis Theorem for an Area
3.0K
The moment of inertia is a fundamental concept in mechanical engineering that plays a significant role in designing rotationally symmetric objects such as flywheels, gears, and other mechanical systems. In this context, we will discuss the moment of inertia of a flywheel rotating about its centroidal axis and how it relates to the moment of inertia about an axis parallel to it.
For a flywheel approximated as a solid disc, consider an infinitesimal differential element with an arbitrary distance...
For a flywheel approximated as a solid disc, consider an infinitesimal differential element with an arbitrary distance...
3.0K

