The Microbiome as a Key Regulator of Brain, Behaviour and Immunity: Commentary on the 2017 Named Series

Publication date: Available online 23 August 2017 Source:Brain, Behavior, and Immunity Author(s): Michael T. Bailey, John F. Cryan The focus on the microbiome for the 2017 Named Series in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity reflects the rapidly growing interest in commensal microbes and the effects that they can have on physiological processes often studied in PsychoNeuroImmunology Research. The studies included in this Named Series show that commensal microbes can impact immune system activity, as well as brain and behavioural processes across the lifespan, and are involved in behavioural and immunological responses to social stresses. The studies also show that dietary effects on brain, behaviour, and immunity often involve alterations of the gut microbiota. Thus, diet can be used therapeutically for diseases and conditions involving the brain, behavior, and immunity, as can treatment with both pre- and probiotics. While this has been widely tested in animal models, fewer studies have focused on pre- and probiotic treatment in humans. The studies in this Named Series highlight the challenges of probiotic research in human populations, but also highlight the future promise of probiotics for human health. While emotional disorders, such as anxiety and depression have been often been linked to alterations in the gut microbiota, studies in this Named Series identify new domains involving interactions between the microbiota, brain, behaviour, and immunity, including schizophrenia,...
Source: Brain, Behavior, and Immunity - Category: Neurology Source Type: research