About this Research Topic
The gut microbiota (GM) refers to the population of microorganisms colonizing the gastrointestinal tract. It includes bacteria and other microbes such as fungi, archaea, viruses, and protozoans. GM is considered as a fundamental part of the host gastrointestinal tract wherein it ensures several functions including nutrient, xenobiotic and drug metabolism, maintenance of structural integrity of the gut mucosal barrier, immunomodulation, and protection against pathogens and others. The composition and diversity of the normal gut microbiota depend on numerous factors namely the mode of delivery (vaginal or cesarean), the type of diet during early age, and the use of antibiotics. During recent years much light has been shed on the involvement of gut microbiota in a large array of human diseases including neurodevelopmental disorders through the production of hormones, immune factors, and metabolites. Therefore, the existence of a gut-brain axis (GBA) has become the main focus of neuroscience researches.
Despite the numerous scientific evidence accumulated, a significant gap of knowledge exists in understanding the underlying mechanisms of the GBA communications and interactions during normal and pathological circumstances, taking into account the key innate and adaptive immunity and signaling pathways. Thus, a well understanding of the perturbations in the composition and metabolic profile of the gut microbiota may serve as biomarkers keys allowing the diagnosis and defining the appropriate and efficient therapeutic approaches for curing CNS injuries and their related behavioral disorders.
We aim through the present topic:
• To emphasize the interactions of gut microbiota with the brain in normal and pathological conditions together with the latest progress in gut microbiota influences on cognitive processes.
• To enrich our knowledge on the connection between intestinal dysbiosis and the onset of particular neurological pathologies involving the immune system pathways.
• To show the role of gut-brain interactions during the development of the nervous system and neurodegeneration.
• To shed light on the recent therapeutic advances targeting the gut microbiota for curing or alleviating brain diseases and/or related disorders.
Despite the numerous scientific evidence accumulated, a significant gap of knowledge exists in understanding the underlying mechanisms of the GBA communications and interactions during normal and pathological circumstances, taking into account the key innate and adaptive immunity and signaling pathways. Thus, a well understanding of the perturbations in the composition and metabolic profile of the gut microbiota may serve as biomarkers keys allowing the diagnosis and defining the appropriate and efficient therapeutic approaches for curing CNS injuries and their related behavioral disorders.
We aim through the present topic:
• To emphasize the interactions of gut microbiota with the brain in normal and pathological conditions together with the latest progress in gut microbiota influences on cognitive processes.
• To enrich our knowledge on the connection between intestinal dysbiosis and the onset of particular neurological pathologies involving the immune system pathways.
• To show the role of gut-brain interactions during the development of the nervous system and neurodegeneration.
• To shed light on the recent therapeutic advances targeting the gut microbiota for curing or alleviating brain diseases and/or related disorders.
Keywords: Gut microbiota, behavior, central nervous system, therapy, neuropathology
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