From Microbes to Minds: The Impact of Gut Bacteria on Infant Cognitive Growth

May 15, 2026CNS & neurological disorders drug targets

How Gut Bacteria May Influence Infant Brain Development

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Gut-Brain AxisGut-Brain Axis on OpenScience ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Abstract

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in shaping infant brain development.

  • Diversity and function of microbial communities are linked to neurodevelopmental processes.
  • Maternal and early-life microbial exposures influence the infant gut ecosystem.
  • Changes in gut microbial composition during critical developmental periods may heighten the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • The gut-brain axis is significantly affected by nutrition and environmental factors, impacting microbiome composition and neurodevelopment.
  • Microbiota-targeted interventions could potentially improve cognitive and neurological outcomes in children.

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