The Brain–Gut–Microbiome Axis in Psychiatry

Abstract

Beginning with the concept of the brain–gut axis, the importance of the interaction between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract has been extended to the microbiome with increasing clinical applications. With the recent development of various techniques for microbiome analysis, the number of relevant preclinical and clinical studies on animals and human subjects has rapidly increased. Various psychotic symptoms affect the intestinal microbiome through the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal gland axis. Conversely, the intestinal microbiome regulates the gastrointestinal tract environment and affects psychological factors by means of the microorganisms or their metabolites, either acting directly on the brain or through the synthesis of various neurotransmitters. This review discusses the clinical applicability of the brain–gut–microbiome axis and directions for improving psychological symptoms based on the studies published to date.

Keywords

• brain–gut axis
• microbiome
• psychiatry
• neurotransmitters