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Review
. 2013 May;36(5):305-12.
doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2013.01.005. Epub 2013 Feb 4.

Gut-brain axis: how the microbiome influences anxiety and depression

Jane A Foster  1 , Karen-Anne McVey Neufeld
Affiliations
Review

Gut-brain axis: how the microbiome influences anxiety and depression

Jane A Foster et al. Trends Neurosci. 2013 May.

Abstract

Within the first few days of life, humans are colonized by commensal intestinal microbiota. Here, we review recent findings showing that microbiota are important in normal healthy brain function. We also discuss the relation between stress and microbiota, and how alterations in microbiota influence stress-related behaviors. New studies show that bacteria, including commensal, probiotic, and pathogenic bacteria, in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can activate neural pathways and central nervous system (CNS) signaling systems. Ongoing and future animal and clinical studies aimed at understanding the microbiota-gut-brain axis may provide novel approaches for prevention and treatment of mental illness, including anxiety and depression.

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