Microbiome–Gut–Brain Connections: New Windows into Health and Disease
A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Microbiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 36
Special Issue Editors
Interests: gut microbes; gut-brain axis; neuroscience; neurological conditions
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
As science and technology advance, more and more research has noted that the trillions of microbes inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract profoundly affect the extra-intestinal organs, especially the brain. Crosstalk between the gut microbes and the brain relies on the microbiome–gut–brain axis, which involves several pathways, including 1) microbe-induced neuroimmune responses in the central nervous system, 2) microbe-derived chemical signals directly affecting brain function, and 3) the neuronal messengers transmitted from gut to brain via neural afferent connections. Gut microbes play an essential role in brain development via participating in neurogenesis, myelination, and microglial maturation. However, the disruption of gut microbes related to increased pathogenic microbes and gut permeability further impairs the integrity of the blood–brain barrier. This compromise allows peripheral neurotoxic metabolites to enter the brain, leading to neuronal damage or neuroinflammation.
The link between gut microbes and brain health could be key to helping us understand, test, and treat relevant diseases. A broad spectrum of studies across diverse geographical regions and populations have revealed that altered gut microbiota profiles are associated with various neurological conditions, such as autism, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Treatments like probiotics/prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and special diets that reshape gut microbes have shown promise. Characterizing the mechanisms of microbiome–gut–brain pathways is essential to elucidating the importance of gut microbes in neurological development and dysfunction; providing early tests and offering more effective management of diseases, is also of importance here. In this Special Issue, advances will be presented in understanding the microbiome–gut–brain connections and exploring their potential in clinical practice.
Dr. Yating Wan
Dr. Qi Su
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- gut microbes
- gut–brain axis
- neuroscience
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