The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional network between the brain (central nervous system) and the gastrointestinal system (enteric nervous system), with complex components involved such as the vagus nerve, immune factors, neuroendocrine pathways, and microbial metabolites [1].
One of the communication lines between the brain and the gut that coordinates the stress body response is called the 'HPA axis' (hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis). Both clinical and experimental research suggests that the gut microbiome plays an important role on this communication axis and can indirectly influence our mental health too.
Literature exploring the relationship between the intestinal microbiome and its effects on health and well-being has grown significantly in recent years, and our knowledge of this subject continues to grow [2]. In fact, the number of publications related to the gut-brain axis and the relationship with the gut microbiome has been exploding over the last decade.
Understanding better the communication line between the gut and our brain, makes the gut microbiome a new target for potential new ways to deal with stress and mental balance, potential applications of discoveries are very broad and we're only at the beginning of the possibilities!
Sophie Cochez
Sophie holds a master degree in medical biology, with particular focus on microbiology and biotechnologies. Passionated about health sciences, she had her first professional experience in a clinical research center, a CNRS unit (Centre national de la recherche scientifique) to develop her master thesis on "The use of antibody arrays to analyze human proteomes of cancer - and its perspective of application for breast cancer diagnosis". CNRS FRE 2230
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References: 1. Sandhu KV, Sherwin E, Schellekens H, Stanton C, Dinan TG, Cryan JF. Feeding the microbiota-gut-brain axis: diet, microbiome, and neuropsychiatry. Transl Res. 2017 Jan;179:223-244. doi: 10.1016/j.trsl.2016.10.002. Epub 2016 Oct 21. PMID: 27832936. |
