Association of gut dysbiosis with first‑episode psychosis (Review)

Abstract

The gut-microbiota-brain axis is a complex bidirectional communication system linking the gastrointestinal tract to the brain. Changes in the balance, composition and diversity of the gut-microbiota (gut dysbiosis) have been found to be associated with the development of psychosis. Early-life stress, along with various stressors encountered in different developmental phases, have been shown to be associated with the abnormal composition of the gut microbiota, leading to irregular immunological and neuroendocrine functions, which are potentially responsible for the occurrence of first-episode psychosis (FEP). The aim of the present narrative review was to summarize the significant differences of the altered microbiome composition in patients suffering from FEP vs. healthy controls, and to discuss its effects on the occurrence and intensity of symptoms in FEP. Contents1. Introduction 2. Gut microbiome and schizophrenia 3. Gut microbiome and FEP 4. Models explaining the link between the gut microbiome and FEP 5. Treatment of gut dysbiosis in patients with FEP 6. Conclusions and future perspectives