Interactions between the microbiota and enteric nervous system during gut-brain disorders.

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Neuroscience
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Gut microbiota research has surged over the past 20 years, with over 25,000 articles in 2021 alone.
• The gut is increasingly recognized as a central site for pathologies affecting brain function, including neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders.
• Modulating gut microbiota composition and its bioactive factors presents therapeutic opportunities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent scientific findings on gut microbiota-brain communication.
• To highlight the role of the enteric nervous system (ENS) as a key mediator in the gut-brain axis.
• To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting the ENS via gut microbiota modulation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent scientific articles.
• Focus on studies investigating the interaction between gut microbes and the enteric nervous system.
• Analysis of mechanisms by which gut microbiota influences ENS activity.

Main Results:

• Gut microbiota and its factors (SCFAs, neurotransmitters) can directly or indirectly influence the ENS.
• The ENS, often termed the "second brain," plays a critical role in relaying gut signals to the brain.
• Microbial impact on ENS function has systemic effects mediated through the gut-brain axis.

Conclusions:

• The gut-brain axis, involving the ENS, is a significant pathway for microbial influence on health and disease.
• Targeting the ENS through gut microbiota modulation offers a novel therapeutic strategy for brain-related disorders.
• Further research into this communication pathway is essential for developing future treatments.