Exploring the microbiota-gut-brain axis: impact on brain structure and function
The microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) plays a significant role in the maintenance of brain structure and function. The MGBA serves as a conduit between the CNS and the ENS, facilitating communication between the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain via diverse pathways. In the initial stages...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Neuroanatomy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnana.2025.1504065/full |
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| author | Lidya K. Yassin Mohammed M. Nakhal Alreem Alderei Afra Almehairbi Ayishal B. Mydeen Amal Akour Mohammad I. K. Hamad |
| author_facet | Lidya K. Yassin Mohammed M. Nakhal Alreem Alderei Afra Almehairbi Ayishal B. Mydeen Amal Akour Mohammad I. K. Hamad |
| author_sort | Lidya K. Yassin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) plays a significant role in the maintenance of brain structure and function. The MGBA serves as a conduit between the CNS and the ENS, facilitating communication between the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain via diverse pathways. In the initial stages of this review, we will examine the way how MGBA affects neurogenesis, neuronal dendritic morphology, axonal myelination, microglia structure, brain blood barrier (BBB) structure and permeability, and synaptic structure. Furthermore, we will review the potential mechanistic pathways of neuroplasticity through MGBA influence. The short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play a pivotal role in the MGBA, where they can modify the BBB. We will therefore discuss how SCFAs can influence microglia, neuronal, and astrocyte function, as well as their role in brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Subsequently, we will examine the technical strategies employed to study MGBA interactions, including using germ-free (GF) animals, probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and antibiotics-induced dysbiosis. Finally, we will examine how particular bacterial strains can affect brain structure and function. By gaining a deeper understanding of the MGBA, it may be possible to facilitate research into microbial-based pharmacological interventions and therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-314a6b124e354a5584fa2c1e94b2ba9b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1662-5129 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Neuroanatomy |
| spelling | doaj-art-314a6b124e354a5584fa2c1e94b2ba9b2025-02-12T07:25:41ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroanatomy1662-51292025-02-011910.3389/fnana.2025.15040651504065Exploring the microbiota-gut-brain axis: impact on brain structure and functionLidya K. Yassin0Mohammed M. Nakhal1Alreem Alderei2Afra Almehairbi3Ayishal B. Mydeen4Amal Akour5Mohammad I. K. Hamad6Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab EmiratesThe microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) plays a significant role in the maintenance of brain structure and function. The MGBA serves as a conduit between the CNS and the ENS, facilitating communication between the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain via diverse pathways. In the initial stages of this review, we will examine the way how MGBA affects neurogenesis, neuronal dendritic morphology, axonal myelination, microglia structure, brain blood barrier (BBB) structure and permeability, and synaptic structure. Furthermore, we will review the potential mechanistic pathways of neuroplasticity through MGBA influence. The short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play a pivotal role in the MGBA, where they can modify the BBB. We will therefore discuss how SCFAs can influence microglia, neuronal, and astrocyte function, as well as their role in brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Subsequently, we will examine the technical strategies employed to study MGBA interactions, including using germ-free (GF) animals, probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and antibiotics-induced dysbiosis. Finally, we will examine how particular bacterial strains can affect brain structure and function. By gaining a deeper understanding of the MGBA, it may be possible to facilitate research into microbial-based pharmacological interventions and therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnana.2025.1504065/fullmicrobiota-gut-brain axisshort-chain fatty acidblood–brain barrierbrain morphologymicrobial interventionsneuroplasticity |
| spellingShingle | Lidya K. Yassin Mohammed M. Nakhal Alreem Alderei Afra Almehairbi Ayishal B. Mydeen Amal Akour Mohammad I. K. Hamad Exploring the microbiota-gut-brain axis: impact on brain structure and function Frontiers in Neuroanatomy microbiota-gut-brain axis short-chain fatty acid blood–brain barrier brain morphology microbial interventions neuroplasticity |
| title | Exploring the microbiota-gut-brain axis: impact on brain structure and function |
| title_full | Exploring the microbiota-gut-brain axis: impact on brain structure and function |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the microbiota-gut-brain axis: impact on brain structure and function |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the microbiota-gut-brain axis: impact on brain structure and function |
| title_short | Exploring the microbiota-gut-brain axis: impact on brain structure and function |
| title_sort | exploring the microbiota gut brain axis impact on brain structure and function |
| topic | microbiota-gut-brain axis short-chain fatty acid blood–brain barrier brain morphology microbial interventions neuroplasticity |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnana.2025.1504065/full |
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