The Gut Microbiota and NDG: What Is the Interplay

The GIT has various cell types in proximate regions and is exposed to the gut microbiota and dietary components on its luminal side of the external environment. About 70% of the body’s immune cells reside in the gut tissue, which is also habitant to neurons that are entirely located within intestinal tissue (108 intrinsic neurons) and connect the gut to the spinal cord and brain. The gut microbiome produces a sheer number of metabolites that affect the brain. As an example, polyphenolic bacterial metabolites can enter the circulation and exert a biological effect both systemic and on the brain. The gut microbiome is also able to alter dietary metabolites. The majority of the neurotransmitters are derived from amino acids, so it is no wonder that the gut microbiome is able to affect healthy brain function. Microglia are important players in the inflammation associated with neurodegenerative diseases, secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines and factors that promote BBB breakdown and neuronal loss. The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in modulating the immune system, which in turn affects brain function. Numerous examples have demonstrated that the gut microbiome’s influence on the immune system can impact various aspects of brain function, from neurogenesis to neuroinflammation, as well as the development and progression of several neurological and psychiatric disorders.