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The Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis in Neurocognitive Development and Decline
Caitlin S M Cowan1,2, John F Cryan1
1APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
Modern Trends in Psychiatry
|May 25, 2021
Summary
The gut microbiome significantly influences brain and behavior, particularly during early life and aging. Understanding these microbiome-gut-brain axis sensitive periods is key to host health.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Human Lifespan Studies
Background:
- Microorganisms have co-evolved with humans since life's origin.
- The gut microbiome is highly dynamic, especially during early life and aging.
- The microbiome influences host health significantly at life's extremes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the gut microbiome's role in regulating brain and behavior across the human lifespan.
- To identify sensitive periods in the microbiome-gut-brain axis during development and aging.
- To examine potential mechanisms of microbiome-brain interaction.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on microbiome trajectories.
- Analysis of evidence for sensitive periods in the microbiome-gut-brain axis.
- Exploration of proposed mechanisms for microbiome-brain interactions.
Main Results:
- Microbiome composition changes dynamically throughout the human lifespan.
- Sensitive periods for microbiome-gut-brain axis influence exist in early life and aging.
- The gut microbiome impacts brain function and behavior.
Conclusions:
- The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in regulating brain and behavior.
- Early life and aging represent critical windows for microbiome-gut-brain axis modulation.
- Further research into microbiome-brain interaction mechanisms is warranted.
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