The Gut–Brain Axis: Exploring the Interactions Between the Microbiota and the Nervous System
A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (23 January 2026) | Viewed by 15660
Special Issue Editor
2. Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
3. Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program, College of Arts and Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
Interests: mammals; ecology and evolution; evolution; animal ecology; behavioral neuroscience; neuropharmacology; neurobiology; neuropsychopharmacology; neurobiology and brain physiology; neurophysiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
We are excited to invite submissions for our Special Issue of Brain Sciences that will delve into the complex relationships between the gut microbiota and the nervous system through the lens of animal models of the gut–brain axis. This Special Issue aims to compile cutting-edge research studies that enhance our understanding of how microbial interactions influence neurological functions and disorders.
Research has increasingly shown that gut microbiota plays a critical role in modulating brain function, affecting behavior, cognition, and emotional regulation. Studies indicate that gut-derived metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), can influence neuroinflammation and neuroplasticity, thereby impacting conditions like anxiety, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases. Animal models provide invaluable insights into these mechanisms, allowing us to explore the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain.
We encourage researchers to submit their abstracts covering a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Models of Gut–Brain Axis Dysfunction: Investigations into how disruptions within the gut–brain axis contribute to neurological disorders such as autism spectrum disorders, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis.
- Treatment Evaluations: Studies assessing the efficacy of probiotics, prebiotics, and other interventions that target gut–brain interactions, and examining their potential therapeutic benefits on mood disorders and cognitive decline.
- Behavioral Studies: Exploration of behavioral changes in animal models associated with the gut–brain axis dysfunction, including anxiety-like behaviors, depressive-like symptoms, and alterations in learning and memory.
- Microbiota–Neuron Interactions: Research that investigates the signaling pathways influenced by gut microbiota, including the vagus nerve and various neuroimmune interactions, and how these pathways affect brain function.
- Comparative Models: Insights from various animal models, including rodents and non-human primates, which elucidate the complexities of gut–brain interactions and their implications for translational research.
This call is not meant to be exhaustive; we welcome any additional topics that contribute to the understanding of the gut–brain axis and its implications for health and disease in humans.
Dr. Kyle Gobrogge
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- gut–brain axis
- microbiota–neuron interactions
- neurological functions and disorders
- animal models
- behavior and cognition
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