From Womb to Weaning: Microbial Signals That Shape the Developing Brain

Mar 24, 2026Developmental neuroscience

How Microbial Signals from Before Birth to Weaning Influence Brain Development

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Abstract

The gut microbiota significantly influences brain development through various communication pathways.

  • Gut microbes may affect brain development via neural, immune, endocrine, metabolic, and epigenetic pathways.
  • Maternal microbiota and their metabolites may impact fetal brain development by crossing the feto-placental barrier.
  • Temporal dynamics of gut colonization and brain maturation are important for understanding neurodevelopment.
  • Microbial interactions are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and could inform therapeutic strategies.
  • Understanding the microbiota-gut-brain axis may lead to early-life interventions for optimizing neurodevelopment.

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