Neuroplasticity and the microbiome: how microorganisms influence brain change
Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize and adapt, has traditionally been attributed to external stimuli, learning, and experience. However, emerging research highlights the gut microbiota as a key modulator of neuroplasticity through the gut-brain axis. This review examines the mech...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Microbiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1629349/full |
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| author | Abdullah Al Noman Abdulrahman Mohammed Alhudhaibi Moushumi Afroza Susmita Deb Tonni Habibul Mohsin Shehab Nusrat Jahan Iba Tarek H. Taha Emad M. Abdallah |
| author_facet | Abdullah Al Noman Abdulrahman Mohammed Alhudhaibi Moushumi Afroza Susmita Deb Tonni Habibul Mohsin Shehab Nusrat Jahan Iba Tarek H. Taha Emad M. Abdallah |
| author_sort | Abdullah Al Noman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize and adapt, has traditionally been attributed to external stimuli, learning, and experience. However, emerging research highlights the gut microbiota as a key modulator of neuroplasticity through the gut-brain axis. This review examines the mechanisms by which intestinal microorganisms influence brain function, including microbial metabolite production, immune system modulation, neurotransmitter synthesis, and hormonal regulation. Dysbiosis, or microbial imbalance, has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, major depressive disorder (MDD), and cognitive impairments, emphasizing the microbiome's role in psychiatric and neurological health. Animal and human studies suggest that microbiota-targeted interventions, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and dietary modifications, may enhance neuroplasticity and mitigate mental health disorders. Future research should focus on understanding direct microbial-neuronal interactions and developing personalized microbiome-based therapies. This study underscores the gut microbiota's potential as a novel target for improving brain plasticity and mental health outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b45806cedb644d358f2d6bc9a710b682 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-302X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-b45806cedb644d358f2d6bc9a710b6822025-08-20T05:33:05ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2025-08-011610.3389/fmicb.2025.16293491629349Neuroplasticity and the microbiome: how microorganisms influence brain changeAbdullah Al Noman0Abdulrahman Mohammed Alhudhaibi1Moushumi Afroza2Susmita Deb Tonni3Habibul Mohsin Shehab4Nusrat Jahan Iba5Tarek H. Taha6Emad M. Abdallah7School of Pharmacy, BRAC University, Dhaka, BangladeshDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU) Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Biological Science, St. John's University, Queens, NY, United StatesSchool of Pharmacy, BRAC University, Dhaka, BangladeshSchool of Pharmacy, BRAC University, Dhaka, BangladeshDepartment of Pharmacy, State University of Bangladesh, Dhaka, BangladeshDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU) Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi ArabiaNeuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize and adapt, has traditionally been attributed to external stimuli, learning, and experience. However, emerging research highlights the gut microbiota as a key modulator of neuroplasticity through the gut-brain axis. This review examines the mechanisms by which intestinal microorganisms influence brain function, including microbial metabolite production, immune system modulation, neurotransmitter synthesis, and hormonal regulation. Dysbiosis, or microbial imbalance, has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, major depressive disorder (MDD), and cognitive impairments, emphasizing the microbiome's role in psychiatric and neurological health. Animal and human studies suggest that microbiota-targeted interventions, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and dietary modifications, may enhance neuroplasticity and mitigate mental health disorders. Future research should focus on understanding direct microbial-neuronal interactions and developing personalized microbiome-based therapies. This study underscores the gut microbiota's potential as a novel target for improving brain plasticity and mental health outcomes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1629349/fullneuroplasticitygut-brain axismicrobiotacognitive functionhealth |
| spellingShingle | Abdullah Al Noman Abdulrahman Mohammed Alhudhaibi Moushumi Afroza Susmita Deb Tonni Habibul Mohsin Shehab Nusrat Jahan Iba Tarek H. Taha Emad M. Abdallah Neuroplasticity and the microbiome: how microorganisms influence brain change Frontiers in Microbiology neuroplasticity gut-brain axis microbiota cognitive function health |
| title | Neuroplasticity and the microbiome: how microorganisms influence brain change |
| title_full | Neuroplasticity and the microbiome: how microorganisms influence brain change |
| title_fullStr | Neuroplasticity and the microbiome: how microorganisms influence brain change |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neuroplasticity and the microbiome: how microorganisms influence brain change |
| title_short | Neuroplasticity and the microbiome: how microorganisms influence brain change |
| title_sort | neuroplasticity and the microbiome how microorganisms influence brain change |
| topic | neuroplasticity gut-brain axis microbiota cognitive function health |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1629349/full |
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