Neurodegenerative disorders and gut-brain interactions.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gastroenterology
• Neurology

Background:

• Neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) affect CNS functions and cause persistent gut dysfunctions.
• Gut-innervating neurons and their role in the gut-brain axis are understudied in NDs.
• Recent research highlights bidirectional communication between the CNS and gut via connecting neurons.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of gut-innervating neurons and gut physiology in the etiology of NDs.
• To explore the involvement of the gut-brain axis in conditions like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and ALS.
• To elucidate the contribution of gut-brain connecting neurons to progressive CNS and gut dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent studies on neurodegenerative disorders and the gut-brain axis.
• Analysis of research on gut-innervating neurons and their role in CNS and gut function.
• Synthesis of findings related to Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and ALS.

Main Results:

• Gut-innervating neurons and gut physiology play a significant role in the etiology of NDs.
• The gut-brain axis is implicated in the progression of both CNS and persistent gut dysfunctions in NDs.
• Dysfunction in gut-innervating and gut-brain connecting neurons contributes to the pathology of major NDs.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the gut-innervating and gut-brain connecting neurons is crucial for comprehending NDs.
• Targeting the gut-brain axis may offer new therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disorders.
• Further research into the gut-brain interplay is essential for managing NDs and associated gut dysfunctions.