The microbial guardians: Unveiling the role of gut microbiota in shaping neurodegenerative disease

The gut microbiota, a complex community of microorganisms residing in the digestive tract, plays a pivotal role in human health. Recent studies have highlighted its significant impact on neurodegenerative diseases, conditions that pose profound challenges to affected individuals and society at large...

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Main Authors: Nour Abou Izzeddine, Kawsar Ahmad, Christine Bacha, Maria Jabbour, Mouin Najjar, Sethrida Salhab, Hilda E. Ghadieh, Amjad Kanaan, Sami Azar, Ziad Abi Khattar, Frederic Harb
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-12-01
Series:IBRO Neuroscience Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667242125000806
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author Nour Abou Izzeddine
Kawsar Ahmad
Christine Bacha
Maria Jabbour
Mouin Najjar
Sethrida Salhab
Hilda E. Ghadieh
Amjad Kanaan
Sami Azar
Ziad Abi Khattar
Frederic Harb
author_facet Nour Abou Izzeddine
Kawsar Ahmad
Christine Bacha
Maria Jabbour
Mouin Najjar
Sethrida Salhab
Hilda E. Ghadieh
Amjad Kanaan
Sami Azar
Ziad Abi Khattar
Frederic Harb
author_sort Nour Abou Izzeddine
collection DOAJ
description The gut microbiota, a complex community of microorganisms residing in the digestive tract, plays a pivotal role in human health. Recent studies have highlighted its significant impact on neurodegenerative diseases, conditions that pose profound challenges to affected individuals and society at large. This review explores the intricate relationship between gut microbiota and the progression of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington’s disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. We delve into the dynamic ecosystem of gut microbiota, examining factors influencing its composition and the bidirectional communication established via the gut-brain axis. Emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiota can modulate neurodegenerative disease progression through mechanisms including inflammatory responses, production of neuroactive substances, and regulation of neurotransmitters. Furthermore, we discuss the potential therapeutic implications of targeting gut microbiota with probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics. While promising, these interventions face challenges and limitations that must be addressed through ongoing research. Understanding the role of gut microbiota in neurodegenerative diseases is crucial for developing innovative therapeutic strategies and improving patient outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-fb0163829fb44ab59a8cee4e61a48b902025-08-20T02:32:23ZengElsevierIBRO Neuroscience Reports2667-24212025-12-0119173710.1016/j.ibneur.2025.05.014The microbial guardians: Unveiling the role of gut microbiota in shaping neurodegenerative diseaseNour Abou Izzeddine0Kawsar Ahmad1Christine Bacha2Maria Jabbour3Mouin Najjar4Sethrida Salhab5Hilda E. Ghadieh6Amjad Kanaan7Sami Azar8Ziad Abi Khattar9Frederic Harb10Columbia College, Columbia University, 116th and Broadway, New York, NY 10027, USADepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Balamand, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 100, Tripoli, LebanonDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Balamand, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 100, Tripoli, LebanonDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Balamand, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 100, Tripoli, LebanonDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Balamand, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 100, Tripoli, LebanonDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Balamand, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 100, Tripoli, LebanonDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Balamand, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 100, Tripoli, LebanonDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Balamand, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 100, Tripoli, LebanonDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Balamand, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 100, Tripoli, LebanonDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Balamand, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 100, Tripoli, Lebanon; Corresponding authors.Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Balamand, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 100, Tripoli, Lebanon; Corresponding authors.The gut microbiota, a complex community of microorganisms residing in the digestive tract, plays a pivotal role in human health. Recent studies have highlighted its significant impact on neurodegenerative diseases, conditions that pose profound challenges to affected individuals and society at large. This review explores the intricate relationship between gut microbiota and the progression of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington’s disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. We delve into the dynamic ecosystem of gut microbiota, examining factors influencing its composition and the bidirectional communication established via the gut-brain axis. Emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiota can modulate neurodegenerative disease progression through mechanisms including inflammatory responses, production of neuroactive substances, and regulation of neurotransmitters. Furthermore, we discuss the potential therapeutic implications of targeting gut microbiota with probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics. While promising, these interventions face challenges and limitations that must be addressed through ongoing research. Understanding the role of gut microbiota in neurodegenerative diseases is crucial for developing innovative therapeutic strategies and improving patient outcomes.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667242125000806Gut microbiotaNeurodegenerative diseasesGut-brain axisInflammationProbioticsNeuroactive substances
spellingShingle Nour Abou Izzeddine
Kawsar Ahmad
Christine Bacha
Maria Jabbour
Mouin Najjar
Sethrida Salhab
Hilda E. Ghadieh
Amjad Kanaan
Sami Azar
Ziad Abi Khattar
Frederic Harb
The microbial guardians: Unveiling the role of gut microbiota in shaping neurodegenerative disease
IBRO Neuroscience Reports
Gut microbiota
Neurodegenerative diseases
Gut-brain axis
Inflammation
Probiotics
Neuroactive substances
title The microbial guardians: Unveiling the role of gut microbiota in shaping neurodegenerative disease
title_full The microbial guardians: Unveiling the role of gut microbiota in shaping neurodegenerative disease
title_fullStr The microbial guardians: Unveiling the role of gut microbiota in shaping neurodegenerative disease
title_full_unstemmed The microbial guardians: Unveiling the role of gut microbiota in shaping neurodegenerative disease
title_short The microbial guardians: Unveiling the role of gut microbiota in shaping neurodegenerative disease
title_sort microbial guardians unveiling the role of gut microbiota in shaping neurodegenerative disease
topic Gut microbiota
Neurodegenerative diseases
Gut-brain axis
Inflammation
Probiotics
Neuroactive substances
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667242125000806
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