About this Research Topic
Human mental processes and behavior are not only controlled by the brain but are also regulated by gut microbiota. Gut microbiota and the digestive tract have previously been termed as gut-brain to underline its similar function to the brain. The role of the brain has been well studied and researched over the past hundreds of years, while the researched into the gut-brain has only limited and studies confirming its existence are limited to the last two decades.
However, many important discoveries and research studies into the Gut-Brain have brought about huge insights in the fields of Neuroscience and Psychology. For example, the brain neural growth, apoptosis, and inflammation are all impacted by gut microbiota. As well, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson's disease, etc. are now know to be all closely related with abnormal gut microbiota.
Although research into gut microbiota has been a focus in recent decades, and research concerning the bidirectional communication between brain and gut microbiota has been steadily increasing, less attention has been paid to the effects this has on the brain than on physiological process and diseases. As such, the effect of gut microbiota on brain and behavior in different processes and disorders still remains unclear and requires further investigation.
This Research Topic, therefore, aims to collate cutting-edge Reviews, Commentaries, and Original Research articles focusing on the role of gut microbiota on the brain, behaviors, mental disorders, and neurological disorders.
The following subtopics are welcomed, but not limited to:
1. The association between gut microbiota and mental disorders / neurological disorders / addiction behaviors
2. The association between gut microbiota and personality / behavior / cognition
3. The association between gut microbiota and brain structure or function
4. The role of gut microbiota in neural growth, or apoptosis, or inflammation
5. The influence of certain bacteria in microbiota-gut-brain axis
However, many important discoveries and research studies into the Gut-Brain have brought about huge insights in the fields of Neuroscience and Psychology. For example, the brain neural growth, apoptosis, and inflammation are all impacted by gut microbiota. As well, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson's disease, etc. are now know to be all closely related with abnormal gut microbiota.
Although research into gut microbiota has been a focus in recent decades, and research concerning the bidirectional communication between brain and gut microbiota has been steadily increasing, less attention has been paid to the effects this has on the brain than on physiological process and diseases. As such, the effect of gut microbiota on brain and behavior in different processes and disorders still remains unclear and requires further investigation.
This Research Topic, therefore, aims to collate cutting-edge Reviews, Commentaries, and Original Research articles focusing on the role of gut microbiota on the brain, behaviors, mental disorders, and neurological disorders.
The following subtopics are welcomed, but not limited to:
1. The association between gut microbiota and mental disorders / neurological disorders / addiction behaviors
2. The association between gut microbiota and personality / behavior / cognition
3. The association between gut microbiota and brain structure or function
4. The role of gut microbiota in neural growth, or apoptosis, or inflammation
5. The influence of certain bacteria in microbiota-gut-brain axis
Keywords: Gut Microbiota, Gut-Brain, Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis, Mood, Behavior, Mental Disorders, Addiction, Neurodegeneration
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.
