IUPHAR review: Microbiota-gut-brain axis and its role in neuropsychiatric disorders

Apr 30, 2025Pharmacological research

How the gut microbiome and brain communication relate to mental health conditions

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Abstract

Recent studies have linked changes in the microbiome to various neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism and depression.

The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in the development and functioning of brain systems.
Bidirectional communication between the gut and brain occurs through several pathways, including neuronal and chemical.
Metagenome-wide association studies have confirmed variations in the microbiome related to neuropsychiatric disorders in large samples.
Cohort studies are working to clarify the causal relationship between gut microbiota and neuropsychiatric conditions.
Research is expanding to include various microbiome-modulating therapies, such as probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation.
Despite advancements, many aspects of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in neuropsychiatric disorders remain to be explored.

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The human gut microbiome, composed of a vast array of microorganisms that have co-evolved with humans, is crucial for the development and function of brain systems. Research has consistently shown bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain through neuronal, endocrine, and immunological, and chemical pathways. Recent neuroscience studies have linked changes in the microbiome and microbial metabolites to various neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and neurocognitive disorders. Novel metagenome-wide association studies have confirmed these microbiome variations in large samples and expanded our understanding of the interactions between human genes and the gut microbiome. The causal relationship between gut microbiota and neuropsychiatric disorders is being elucidated through the establishment of large cohort studies incorporating microbiome data and advanced statistical techniques. Ongoing animal and human studies focused on the microbiota-gut-brain axis are promising for developing new prevention and treatment strategies for neuropsychiatric conditions. The scope of these studies has broadened from microbiome-modulating therapies including prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics and postbiotics to more extensive approaches such as fecal microbiota transplantation. Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses have strengthened the evidence base for these innovative treatments. Despite extensive research over the past decade, many intriguing aspects still need to be elucidated regarding the role and therapeutic interventions of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in neuropsychiatric disorders.

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IUPHAR review: Microbiota-gut-brain axis and its role in neuropsychiatric disorders

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