The Role of Microbiome in Brain Development and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Molecules. 2022 May 25;27(11):3402. doi: 10.3390/molecules27113402.

Abstract

Hundreds of billions of commensal microorganisms live in and on our bodies, most of which colonize the gut shortly after birth and stay there for the rest of our lives. In animal models, bidirectional communications between the central nervous system and gut microbiota (Gut-Brain Axis) have been extensively studied, and it is clear that changes in microbiota composition play a vital role in the pathogenesis of various neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, anxiety, stress, and so on. The makeup of the microbiome is impacted by a variety of factors, such as genetics, health status, method of delivery, environment, nutrition, and exercise, and the present understanding of the role of gut microbiota and its metabolites in the preservation of brain functioning and the development of the aforementioned neurological illnesses is summarized in this review article. Furthermore, we discuss current breakthroughs in the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics to address neurological illnesses. Moreover, we also discussed the role of boron-based diet in memory, boron and microbiome relation, boron as anti-inflammatory agents, and boron in neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, in the coming years, boron reagents will play a significant role to improve dysbiosis and will open new areas for researchers.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Parkinson’s disease; boron neuroprotective agent; boron-based diet; gut-brain axis; microbiome.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder* / pathology
  • Boron
  • Brain / pathology
  • Microbiota*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases* / pathology
  • Probiotics* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Boron

Grants and funding

NIH for R01AI132614-01A1, R21 AA027374-01, 1R01NS109423-01A1.