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Epilepsy, gut microbiota, and circadian rhythm
Yao Wang1, Zhihong Zhuo1,2,3, Huaili Wang1,2,3
1Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
Frontiers in Neurology
|June 5, 2023
Summary
Changes in the gut microbiome (GM) are linked to epilepsy and disrupted circadian rhythms. This review explores commonalities in GM alterations across epilepsy and sleep disorder studies, highlighting their impact on disease.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Neurology
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Epilepsy is frequently associated with disrupted sleep and circadian patterns.
- Gut microbiota (GM) alterations and circadian rhythm disturbances are increasingly recognized in epilepsy.
- Seizure types exhibit a circadian rhythm, suggesting a temporal link to biological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and compare changes in gut microbiota in clinical and animal studies of epilepsy and circadian rhythm disorder.
- To identify commonalities and specificities in gut microbiome alterations.
- To explore the impact of these alterations on disease occurrence in the context of epilepsy and circadian disruption.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of clinical and animal studies examining gut microbiota in epilepsy.
- Review of studies investigating gut microbiota in circadian rhythm disorders.
- Comparative analysis to identify shared and distinct patterns of gut microbiome changes.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests commonalities in gut microbiota alterations across epilepsy and circadian disruption, despite confounding factors in clinical studies.
- Specific changes in gut microbial composition and function are observed in both conditions.
- The interplay between gut microbiome, epilepsy, and circadian rhythms is complex and warrants further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Gut microbiota alterations are a shared feature of epilepsy and circadian rhythm disorders.
- Understanding these links may offer novel therapeutic targets for managing epilepsy and related sleep disturbances.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the causal relationships and mechanisms involved.
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