The development of the Central Nervous System (CNS) is an intricate process that is governed by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors in humans. The human’s microbiome consists of unique assemblages of microorganisms (e.g. bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses), that shape the host’s immune, physiology, behavior, and neuropathology. In recent years, accumulating clinical and experimental evidence suggests that gut microbiota play an essential role in CNS diseases including anxiety, depression, neurodegenerative, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The influences of the microbiome on CNS functions can be achieved through a microbiota-gut-brain axis that is connected via neural, endocrine, metabolic and immunological pathways, respectively. Therefore, the plastic nature of the human microbiome makes it a new therapeutic target for CNS diseases, and many factors (e.g. probiotics, antibiotics, diet and drug) were easy to alter the composition of the gut microflora.

In the treatment of other diseases, gut microbiota serves as therapeutic target through changing its metabolism or composition. For example, gut microbiota is one of the factors that could cause berberine to ameliorate hyperlipidemia, and metformin to treat type 2 diabetes. Therefore, gut microbiota might be the potential target for drugs to treat CNS diseases.

In the present Research Topic, we welcome researchers to submit original research articles reporting data from both animal experimental and clinical studies, and review articles that help understanding the mechanism of communication between gut microbiota and CNS. We believe that this Research Topic will give further insights in the treatment of CNS diseases, which may develop a new therapeutic agent to improve human health.

Keywords: Gut microbiota, Central Nervous System Diseases, Microbiome–gut–brain axis, Therapy, Target, CNS, Microbiome

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.