From alpha diversity to zeitgebers: Bacterial gut microbiome associations with sleep and circadian disruption (Part I)

Feb 18, 2026Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews

Gut Bacteria Diversity Linked to Sleep and Body Clock Disruptions (Part I)

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Gut-Brain Axis on OpenScience ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Abstract

Seventy-four pre-clinical rodent studies and 65 human studies were reviewed to explore the relationship between sleep and the gut microbiome.

Variable responses in gut microbiome diversity were observed in relation to sleep disturbances.
Longer periods of sleep disruption were associated with decreased gut microbiome diversity.
In preclinical studies, different responses were noted at the phylum level regarding gut microbiome composition.
In humans, sleep disruption correlated with lower levels of the beneficial bacteria Bacillota.
Unhealthy sleep patterns were linked to decreased beneficial genera such as Faecalibacterium and Lactobacillus, and increased Clostridium.
Inconsistencies across studies indicate a need for more rigorous research in this area.

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Sleep is a vital behavioral state influencing multiple body systems, including the gut-brain axis, which involves bidirectional communication between the brain and gastrointestinal system. This scoping review examines and provides a comprehensive overview of literature examining the relationship between sleep and the gut microbiome to identify literature gaps. Seventy-four pre-clinical rodent studies and 65 human translational studies reporting direct sleep and gut microbiome associations were synthesized. We found variable alpha diversity responses to sleep pathology, with decreased alpha diversity more consistent in longer sleep disruption periods. Preclinical studies showed variable phylum-level responses, while in humans, sleep disruption was linked to decreased Bacillota and circadian disruption to increased Bacillota. Unhealthy sleep patterns were commonly associated with reduced levels of beneficial genera such as Faecalibacterium and Lactobacillus, and increased Clostridium, though findings were not consistent across all studies. Recommendations are made to ensure rigorous, reproducible research in this field. The potential for gut microbiome modulation as a therapeutic target is highlighted, with suggested future research directions for preventing sleep disruption and pathology.