About this Research Topic
The Gut-Brain Axis (GBA) refers to the bidirectional communication between the nervous system and the gastrointestinal milieu. The spinal nerves – especially the vagus nerve – as well as chemical messengers such as neurotransmitters, chemokines, hormones, etc play a key role in maintaining proper contact between the two disparate systems in our body. Recent research has expanded our knowledge of this field by highlighting the importance of the gut microbiome in neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration.
Accumulating evidence suggests that perturbation of the GBA contributes to the pathophysiology of various diseases including neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic diseases, and even developmental complications. However, how the GBA plays a role in disease progression and the key molecules/pathways involved in the smooth functioning of this bidirectional communication has not been well characterized. Hence it is necessary to comprehend this complex subject by tackling it from various angles.
The aim of this Research Topic is to publish original research and review articles on the following topics:
• Gut-Brain Axis - a player or bystander in neurodegeneration (Review only)
This topic will mainly cover mini-reviews, some of which should focus on collating the earliest research that helped the GBA gain traction as an important component in neurodegenerative disorders while others should focus on recent research that highlights the role played by GBA in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation OR the consequence of neuroinflammation/neurodegeneration on the GBA;
• Molecular, cellular and behavioral outcomes associated with GBA communication
Research papers on pathways /molecular signals/behavior altered in neurodegenerative disorders that to some extent depend on the GBA;
• Effect of maternal and external environment on the GBA in utero, during childhood and in adults
Research papers on the effect of environmental stress (toxins inhaled/ingested) or epigenetic alterations in utero or childhood or in adults that leads to GBA dysfunction (Autism spectrum disorders, workplace exposure to toxins leading to neurodegeneration);
• Advances made in this field- including designing therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders that exploit the GBA bidirectional communication
Research papers on pre-clinical therapeutics that use the GBA to reduce neuroinflammation or prevent neurodegeneration.
Dr. Dilshan Shanaka Harischandra is working as Study Director for the company Covance Laboratories US.
The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic.
Accumulating evidence suggests that perturbation of the GBA contributes to the pathophysiology of various diseases including neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic diseases, and even developmental complications. However, how the GBA plays a role in disease progression and the key molecules/pathways involved in the smooth functioning of this bidirectional communication has not been well characterized. Hence it is necessary to comprehend this complex subject by tackling it from various angles.
The aim of this Research Topic is to publish original research and review articles on the following topics:
• Gut-Brain Axis - a player or bystander in neurodegeneration (Review only)
This topic will mainly cover mini-reviews, some of which should focus on collating the earliest research that helped the GBA gain traction as an important component in neurodegenerative disorders while others should focus on recent research that highlights the role played by GBA in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation OR the consequence of neuroinflammation/neurodegeneration on the GBA;
• Molecular, cellular and behavioral outcomes associated with GBA communication
Research papers on pathways /molecular signals/behavior altered in neurodegenerative disorders that to some extent depend on the GBA;
• Effect of maternal and external environment on the GBA in utero, during childhood and in adults
Research papers on the effect of environmental stress (toxins inhaled/ingested) or epigenetic alterations in utero or childhood or in adults that leads to GBA dysfunction (Autism spectrum disorders, workplace exposure to toxins leading to neurodegeneration);
• Advances made in this field- including designing therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders that exploit the GBA bidirectional communication
Research papers on pre-clinical therapeutics that use the GBA to reduce neuroinflammation or prevent neurodegeneration.
Dr. Dilshan Shanaka Harischandra is working as Study Director for the company Covance Laboratories US.
The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic.
Keywords: Gut-Brain Axis, Neurodegeneration, Neuroinflammation, Enteric Nervous System, Central Nervous System
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
