Gut microbiota and epigenetic mechanisms in brain physiology and disorders

The interplay between gut microbiota and epigenetic mechanisms plays a crucial role in brain physiology and disorders, highlighting a novel area of research with significant implications for understanding and treating neurologic conditions. The gut microbiota, the diverse community of microorganisms in the digestive tract, influences brain function and health through the gut-brain axis, a complex communication network linking the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and noncoding RNA activity, regulate gene expression without altering the DNA sequence, thus shaping neuronal development and plasticity. Recent studies have elucidated how gut microbiota can modulate these epigenetic processes, affecting neurotransmission, neuroinflammation, and the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. Disruptions in the gut microbiome are associated with various psychiatric disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder or depression, and with neurodegenerative diseases, potentially through epigenetic alterations that affect brain function. Understanding the molecular interactions between gut microbiota and epigenetic regulation offers promising avenues for therapeutic interventions, including dietary modifications, probiotics, and epigenetic drugs. This chapter underscores the significance of gut microbiota and epigenetic mechanisms in brain health and disease, suggesting that targeted manipulation of these factors could lead to novel treatments for neurologic disorders.