Stress & the gut-brain axis: Regulation by the microbiome

The importance of the gut-brain axis in regulating stress-related responses has long been appreciated. More recently, the microbiota has emerged as a key player in the control of this axis, especially during conditions of stress provoked by real or perceived homeostatic challenge. Diet is one of the most important modifying factors of the microbiota-gut-brain axis. The routes of communication between the microbiota and brain are slowly being unravelled, and include the vagus nerve, gut hormone signaling, the immune system, tryptophan metabolism, and microbial metabolites such as short chain fatty acids. The importance of the early life gut microbiota in shaping later health outcomes also is emerging. Results…

• MJ
  Mead Johnson Nutrition
• OB
  Ontario Brain Institute
• JP
  Joint Programming Initiative A healthy diet for a healthy life
• DO
  Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Ireland
• SF
  Science Foundation Ireland

  Awards: 12/RC/2273, 07/CE/B1368
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: DK100685, MH059911
• NS
  Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

  Award: RGPIN-312435-12