Microbiota and neurologic diseases: potential effects of probiotics

Abstract

BackgroundThe microbiota colonizing the gastrointestinal tract have been associated with both gastrointestinal and extra-gastrointestinal diseases. In recent years, considerable interest has been devoted to their role in the development of neurologic diseases, as many studies have described bidirectional communication between the central nervous system and the gut, the so-called “microbiota-gut-brain axis”. Considering the ability of probiotics (i.e., live non-pathogenic microorganisms) to restore the normal microbial population and produce benefits for the host, their potential effects have been investigated in the context of neurologic diseases. The main aims of this review are to analyse the relationship between the gut microbiota and brain disorders and to evaluate the current evidence for the use of probiotics in the treatment and prevention of neurologic conditions.DiscussionOverall, trials involving animal models and adults have reported encouraging results, suggesting that the administration of probiotic strains may exert some prophylactic and therapeutic effects in a wide range of neurologic conditions. Studies involving children have mainly focused on autism spectrum disorder and have shown that probiotics seem to improve neuro behavioural symptoms. However, the available data are incomplete and far from conclusive.ConclusionsThe potential usefulness of probiotics in preventing or treating neurologic diseases is becoming a topic of great interest. However, deeper studies are needed to understand which formulation, dosage and timing might represent the optimal regimen for each specific neurologic disease and what populations can benefit. Moreover, future trials should also consider the tolerability and safety of probiotics in patients with neurologic diseases.

Intermittent Fasting Confers Protection in CNS Autoimmunity by Altering the Gut Microbiota

“…In EAE, alteration of the gut microbiota or their metabolites can modulate inflammation and demyelination (Berer et al, 2011; Lee et al, 2011). Of particular interest was the IF-induced enrichment in Lactobacilli , which are commonly used in probiotics because of their positive effects including reduction of inflammatory immune responses (Umbrello and Esposito, 2016). Oral administration of Lactobacilli with myelin antigens has been shown to induce tolerance in the EAE model (Maassen et al, 2003) and enrichment of gut microbiota with Lactobacilli has been associated with resistance to EAE (Stanisavljevic et al, 2016).…”

Probiotics mixture increases butyrate, and subsequently rescues the nigral dopaminergic neurons from MPTP and rotenone-induced neurotoxicity

“…The freshly prepared vehicle or probiotics in the drinking water were given daily in the morning for 30 days. The effects of probiotics on neurological conditions could vary, and studies have shown that a mixture of probiotics was superior to a single strain either because of the higher concentration of probiotics or wider and synergistic action between them [21].…”

New Quality-Control Investigations on Vaccines: Micro- and Nanocontamination

“…If that is the case, the whole phenomenon is very rapid. In the latter circumstance, the pollutants reached the microbiota, thus interfering with the production of enzymes necessary to carry out neurological functions [32][33][34][35]. That possibility takes time, as it involves the production of chemical compounds in a sufficient quantity, and an elapse of some weeks between injection and clinical evidence is reasonable.…”