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Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Neurodevelopmental Impairments: Microbiome, Gut, and Brain Entanglements
Cuilee Sha1,2, Zhaosheng Jin3, Stella Y Ku4
1Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
Biomolecules
|October 26, 2024
Summary
The developing gut-microbiota-brain axis is crucial for health. Disruptions, like in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), can cause lasting neurological issues, underscoring the need for further research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The gut-microbiota-brain axis involves complex bidirectional communication.
- Early life gut injury, such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), has severe neurological consequences.
- Understanding this axis is vital for preventing and treating related disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the developing gut-microbiota-brain axis.
- To explore its role in neurodevelopment, particularly in the context of NEC.
- To examine the impact of microbiome dysregulation on neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of gut development.
- Analysis of microbiome colonization and maturation.
- Examination of gut-brain axis components and interactions.
Main Results:
- The gut-microbiota-brain axis is integral to neurodevelopment.
- NEC highlights the vulnerability of the developing brain to gut injury.
- Microbiome derangements negatively affect development and long-term neurological function.
Conclusions:
- Further understanding of the gut-microbiota-brain axis is essential.
- Targeting this axis may offer therapeutic strategies for NEC and related neurodevelopmental deficits.
- Interdisciplinary research is needed to address the complexities of this axis.
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