Attenuating Neurotoxicity Through Fecal Microbiota Transplant: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential

Neurotoxicity, triggered by drugs, environmental pollutants, metabolic disorders, or infections, can cause lasting neurological dysfunction and cognitive impairment. Recent research highlights the gut microbiota's crucial role in regulating brain health and vulnerability to neurotoxic damage, sparking interest in fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as a potential treatment. This review examines how FMT may counteract neurotoxicity and assesses its therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative diseases, neuroinflammation, and cognitive decline. The gut-brain axis-a bidirectional communication system between the gut and the central nervous system (CNS)-acts as the primary route through which gut microbes influence brain function. Growing evidence suggests that microbiota imbalances can exacerbate neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier disruption, and altered neurotransmitter production, all of which contribute to neurotoxicity. FMT, the transfer of donor fecal microbes to a recipient's gut, has demonstrated promise in restoring microbial equilibrium and reducing neurotoxic effects in both animal studies and human trials. The review also explores microbial profiles tied to neuroprotection versus those linked to neurotoxic conditions, along with the prospects of tailored microbiome therapies. Despite its potential, FMT faces challenges, including protocol standardization, donor selection criteria, and long-term efficacy. More research is needed to unravel the intricacies of gut-brain interactions and optimize FMT for clinical use. If these hurdles are addressed, FMT could become a transformative therapy for neurotoxicity-related disorders.