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The Gut Microbiome in the First One Thousand Days of Neurodevelopment: A Systematic Review from the Microbiome
Nathalia F Naspolini1, Paulo A Schüroff1, Maria J Figueiredo2
1School of Arts, Sciences and Humanity, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 03828-000, Brazil.
Insights
The infant gut microbiome influences brain development and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Key bacteria like Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium are linked to healthy brain function, but more research is needed on specific mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The gut microbiome in early life is crucial for brain development.
- It also plays a role in mental and neurodegenerative disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- Systematically review gut microbiome assessments in infants during the first thousand days.
- Investigate key microbiome players and mechanisms affecting brain development and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of studies on infant gut microbiome and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- Analysis of associations between specific bacterial genera and neurodevelopmental indicators.
Main Results:
- Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium were linked to cognitive, motor, and behavioral development, as well as neurotypical brain development.
- Lachnospiraceae, Streptococcus, and Faecalibacterium showed varied impacts on development.
- Limited mechanistic insights were found regarding metabolic pathways and microbial genes.
Conclusions:
- The gut microbiome significantly impacts early brain development.
- Further research is needed to link specific gut bacteria to functional pathways for a comprehensive understanding of the microbiome-gut-brain axis.
Abstract:
Evidence shows that the gut microbiome in early life is an essential modulator of physiological processes related to healthy brain development, as well as mental and neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we conduct a systematic review of gut microbiome assessments on infants (both healthy and with conditions that affect brain development) during the first thousand days of life, associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes, with the aim of investigating key microbiome players and mechanisms through which the gut microbiome affects the brain. Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium were associated with non-social fear behavior, duration of orientation, cognitive and motricity development, and neurotypical brain development. Lachnospiraceae, Streptococcus, and Faecalibacterium showed variable levels of influence on behavior and brain development. Few studies described mechanistic insights related to NAD salvage, aspartate and asparagine biosynthesis, methanogenesis, pathways involved in bile acid transformation, short-chain fatty acids production, and microbial virulence genes. Further studies associating species to gene pathways and robustness in data analysis and integration are required to elucidate the functional mechanisms underlying the role of microbiome-gut-brain axis in early brain development.
