The gut and its microbiota (MB-gut) is the largest absorption organ and reservoir of bacteria in the human body. MB-gut is considered a unique integrated system whose cellular populations interplay gives rise to responses that influence the physiology of the whole body. The central nervous system is in continuous cross-talk with the MB-gut in the so-called MB-gut-brain axis, and many bottom-to-top pathways, activated by MB products, are necessary for the correct development and physiological functions of the brain.
Dysbiosis is a condition of alteration involving the bacterial species of the MB that contributes to many pathological conditions in both the aged and young populations. Investigating and elucidating how the MB-gut can affect the central nervous system in aging, Alzheimer, multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases is of the utmost importance. Understanding the interplay among MB-gut, immune cells, neurons, and glial cells and the implications for host defense, tissue repair, and neurodegeneration will be crucial to identifying new actors in the molecular basis of diseases.
It is necessary to follow a multidisciplinary approach to investigate all the districts and components of the complex MB-gut-brain axis. In particular, the analysis of the MB-gut driven alterations of the neuron-astrocyte-microglia triad will highlight neurodegenerative mechanisms related to differential recruitment and activation of glial cells, will improve the knowledge of molecules involved in neurons-glia interplay and will elucidate MB-gut changes that could prevent and/or delay neurodegeneration.
In this regard, investigators are invited to contribute to this Research Topic with original research articles and reviews that can improve the understanding of the role of the MB-gut-brain axis alteration in normal brain aging and neurodegenerative disease.
The gut and its microbiota (MB-gut) is the largest absorption organ and reservoir of bacteria in the human body. MB-gut is considered a unique integrated system whose cellular populations interplay gives rise to responses that influence the physiology of the whole body. The central nervous system is in continuous cross-talk with the MB-gut in the so-called MB-gut-brain axis, and many bottom-to-top pathways, activated by MB products, are necessary for the correct development and physiological functions of the brain.
Dysbiosis is a condition of alteration involving the bacterial species of the MB that contributes to many pathological conditions in both the aged and young populations. Investigating and elucidating how the MB-gut can affect the central nervous system in aging, Alzheimer, multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases is of the utmost importance. Understanding the interplay among MB-gut, immune cells, neurons, and glial cells and the implications for host defense, tissue repair, and neurodegeneration will be crucial to identifying new actors in the molecular basis of diseases.
It is necessary to follow a multidisciplinary approach to investigate all the districts and components of the complex MB-gut-brain axis. In particular, the analysis of the MB-gut driven alterations of the neuron-astrocyte-microglia triad will highlight neurodegenerative mechanisms related to differential recruitment and activation of glial cells, will improve the knowledge of molecules involved in neurons-glia interplay and will elucidate MB-gut changes that could prevent and/or delay neurodegeneration.
In this regard, investigators are invited to contribute to this Research Topic with original research articles and reviews that can improve the understanding of the role of the MB-gut-brain axis alteration in normal brain aging and neurodegenerative disease.