The Role of the Gut-Brain Axis in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Sarita A Dam; Jeanette C Mostert; Joanna W Szopinska-Tokov; Mirjam Bloemendaal; Maria Amato; Alejandro Arias-Vasquez

doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2019.05.001

The Role of the Gut-Brain Axis in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2019 Sep;48(3):407-431. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2019.05.001. Epub 2019 Jul 2.

Authors

Sarita A Dam¹, Jeanette C Mostert², Joanna W Szopinska-Tokov³, Mirjam Bloemendaal³, Maria Amato², Alejandro Arias-Vasquez⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Kapittelweg 29, 6525 EN, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: Sarita.Dam@radboudumc.nl.
² Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
³ Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
⁴ Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

PMID: 31383279
DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2019.05.001

Abstract

Genetic and environmental factors play a role in the cause and development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Recent studies have suggested an important role of the gut-brain axis (GBA) and intestinal microbiota in modulating the risk of ADHD. Here, the authors provide a brief overview of the clinical and biological picture of ADHD and how the GBA could be involved in its cause. They discuss key biological mechanisms involved in the GBA and how these may increase the risk of developing ADHD. Understanding these mechanisms may help to characterize novel treatment options via identification of disease biomarkers.

Keywords: ADHD; Biomarkers; Endocrine communication; Genetics; Gut-brain axis; Immunology; Metabolites; Nerval communication.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / etiology*
Brain / physiology*
Diet
Gastrointestinal Microbiome / physiology*
Humans
Vagus Nerve / physiology