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Brain Sciences
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Brain–Microbiome Interactions
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Brain–Microbiome Interactions

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Neuroscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (29 September 2020) | Viewed by 34105

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Keehoon Lee

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Co-Director of TGen Integrated Microbiomics Center, Research Assistant Professor, Pathogens and Microbiome Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen North), Flagstaff, AZ, USA
Interests: human microbiome; host-microbiome interactions; interspecies microbiome inter-actions; brain-gut axis; immunology; infectious diseases; chronic inflammatory diseases; glioblastoma; brain tumor; neurodegenerative disease; Alzheimer’s disease; autism spectrum disorder; cancer microbiome
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The effects of the microbiota, defined as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea that inhabit a niche, on its host environment is a rapidly emerging area of research that has profoundly altered our view of the role of the host-associated microbiota in health and disease. The range of effects that these complex microbial assemblages have on human physiology is unimaginably broad and involve immune system development and protection against bacteria that cause disease. Recent investigations of the gut–brain axis have demonstrated the role of the gut microbiota in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Parkinson’s Disease, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Studies also suggest that the microbiome influences emotions and behaviors. Therefore, modifying the microbiome using prebiotics, probiotics, or microbiome transplants may be the key to solve many health problems related to the brain. However, more scientific evidence of the interactions between brain and microbiome is necessary in order to therapeutically target the microbiome to treat brain disorders.

This Special Issue on brain–microbiome interactions is focused on, but not limited to, understanding the effect of the microbiome on brain activity, brain-related disorders, and mental health and on developing new cutting-edge techniques for studying the brain–microbiome relationship.

I invite authors to submit original research papers (clinical and translational) and methodology research papers, as well as reviews and perspectives that provide guidance to investigate the relationship between the brain and the microbiome.

Dr. Keehoon Lee
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • brain
  • microbiome
  • microbiome interaction
  • gut–brain axis
  • brain disorders
  • microbiome transplants

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 3905 KiB  
Article
Selective Probiotic Treatment Positively Modulates the Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis in the BTBR Mouse Model of Autism
by Angela Pochakom, Chunlong Mu, Jong M. Rho, Thomas A. Tompkins, Shyamchand Mayengbam and Jane Shearer
Brain Sci. 2022, 12(6), 781; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12060781 - 14 Jun 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4332
Abstract
Recent studies have shown promise for the use of probiotics in modulating behaviour through the microbiota–gut–brain axis. In the present study, we assessed the impact of two probiotic strains in mitigating autism-related symptomology in the BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J mouse model [...] Read more.
Recent studies have shown promise for the use of probiotics in modulating behaviour through the microbiota–gut–brain axis. In the present study, we assessed the impact of two probiotic strains in mitigating autism-related symptomology in the BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J mouse model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Male juvenile BTBR mice were randomized into: (1) control, (2) Lr probiotic (1 × 109 CFU/mL Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HA-114), and (3) Ls probiotic groups (1 × 109 CFU/mL Ligilactobacillus salivarius HA-118) (n = 18–21/group), receiving treatments in drinking water for 4 weeks. Gut microbiota profiling by 16S rRNA showed Lr, but not Ls supplementation, to increase microbial richness and phylogenetic diversity, with a rise in potential anti-inflammatory and butyrate-producing taxa. Assessing serum and brain metabolites, Lr and Ls supplementation produced distinct metabolic profiles, with Lr treatment elevating concentrations of potentially beneficial neuroactive compounds, such as 5-aminovaleric acid and choline. As mitochondrial dysfunction is often observed in ASD, we assessed mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. No differences were observed for either treatment. Both Lr and Ls treatment reduced behavioural deficits in social novelty preference. However, no changes in hyperactivity, repetitive behaviour, and sociability were observed. Results show Lr to impart positive changes along the microbiota–gut–brain axis, exhibiting beneficial effects on selected behaviour, gut microbial diversity, and metabolism in BTBR mice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain–Microbiome Interactions)
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10 pages, 841 KiB  
Article
Can Gut Microbiota Be a Good Predictor for Parkinson’s Disease? A Machine Learning Approach
by Daniele Pietrucci, Adelaide Teofani, Valeria Unida, Rocco Cerroni, Silvia Biocca, Alessandro Stefani and Alessandro Desideri
Brain Sci. 2020, 10(4), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10040242 - 19 Apr 2020
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 6171
Abstract
The involvement of the gut microbiota in Parkinson’s disease (PD), investigated in several studies, identified some common alterations of the microbial community, such as a decrease in Lachnospiraceae and an increase in Verrucomicrobiaceae families in PD patients. However, the results of other bacterial [...] Read more.
The involvement of the gut microbiota in Parkinson’s disease (PD), investigated in several studies, identified some common alterations of the microbial community, such as a decrease in Lachnospiraceae and an increase in Verrucomicrobiaceae families in PD patients. However, the results of other bacterial families are often contradictory. Machine learning is a promising tool for building predictive models for the classification of biological data, such as those produced in metagenomic studies. We tested three different machine learning algorithms (random forest, neural networks and support vector machines), analyzing 846 metagenomic samples (472 from PD patients and 374 from healthy controls), including our published data and those downloaded from public databases. Prediction performance was evaluated by the area under curve, accuracy, precision, recall and F-score metrics. The random forest algorithm provided the best results. Bacterial families were sorted according to their importance in the classification, and a subset of 22 families has been identified for the prediction of patient status. Although the results are promising, it is necessary to train the algorithm with a larger number of samples in order to increase the accuracy of the procedure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain–Microbiome Interactions)
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13 pages, 1826 KiB  
Article
Probiotics Alleviate the Progressive Deterioration of Motor Functions in a Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease
by Tsung-Hsun Hsieh, Chi-Wei Kuo, Kai-Hsuan Hsieh, Meng-Jyh Shieh, Chih-Wei Peng, Yen-Chien Chen, Ying-Ling Chang, Ying-Zu Huang, Chih-Chung Chen, Pi-Kai Chang, Kai-Yun Chen and Hsin-Yung Chen
Brain Sci. 2020, 10(4), 206; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10040206 - 1 Apr 2020
Cited by 119 | Viewed by 9032
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the common long-term degenerative disorders that primarily affect motor systems. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common in individuals with PD and often present before motor symptoms. It has been found that gut dysbiosis to PD pathology is related [...] Read more.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the common long-term degenerative disorders that primarily affect motor systems. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common in individuals with PD and often present before motor symptoms. It has been found that gut dysbiosis to PD pathology is related to the severity of motor and non-motor symptoms in PD. Probiotics have been reported to have the ability to improve the symptoms related to constipation in PD patients. However, the evidence from preclinical or clinical research to verify the beneficial effects of probiotics for the motor functions in PD is still limited. An experimental PD animal model could be helpful in exploring the potential therapeutic strategy using probiotics. In the current study, we examined whether daily and long-term administration of probiotics has neuroprotective effects on nigrostriatal dopamine neurons and whether it can further alleviate the motor dysfunctions in PD mice. Transgenic MitoPark PD mice were chosen for this study and the effects of daily probiotic treatment on gait, beam balance, motor coordination, and the degeneration levels of dopaminergic neurons were identified. From the results, compared with the sham treatment group, we found that the daily administration of probiotics significantly reduced the motor impairments in gait pattern, balance function, and motor coordination. Immunohistochemically, a tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive cell in the substantia nigra was significantly preserved in the probiotic-treated PD mice. These results showed that long-term administration of probiotics has neuroprotective effects on dopamine neurons and further attenuates the deterioration of motor dysfunctions in MitoPark PD mice. Our data further highlighted the promising possibility of the potential use of probiotics, which could be the relevant approach for further application on human PD subjects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain–Microbiome Interactions)
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Review

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23 pages, 862 KiB  
Review
Do the Bugs in Your Gut Eat Your Memories? Relationship between Gut Microbiota and Alzheimer’s Disease
by Emily M. Borsom, Keehoon Lee and Emily K. Cope
Brain Sci. 2020, 10(11), 814; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10110814 - 3 Nov 2020
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 9049
Abstract
The human microbiota is composed of trillions of microbial cells inhabiting the oral cavity, skin, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, airways, and reproductive organs. The gut microbiota is composed of dynamic communities of microorganisms that communicate bidirectionally with the brain via cytokines, neurotransmitters, hormones, and [...] Read more.
The human microbiota is composed of trillions of microbial cells inhabiting the oral cavity, skin, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, airways, and reproductive organs. The gut microbiota is composed of dynamic communities of microorganisms that communicate bidirectionally with the brain via cytokines, neurotransmitters, hormones, and secondary metabolites, known as the gut microbiota–brain axis. The gut microbiota–brain axis is suspected to be involved in the development of neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. AD is an irreversible, neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS), characterized by amyloid-β plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuroinflammation. Microglia and astrocytes, the resident immune cells of the CNS, play an integral role in AD development, as neuroinflammation is a driving factor of disease severity. The gut microbiota–brain axis is a novel target for Alzheimer’s disease therapeutics to modulate critical neuroimmune and metabolic pathways. Potential therapeutics include probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and dietary intervention. This review summarizes our current understanding of the role of the gut microbiota–brain axis and neuroinflammation in the onset and development of Alzheimer’s disease, limitations of current research, and potential for gut microbiota–brain axis targeted therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain–Microbiome Interactions)
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15 pages, 325 KiB  
Review
Mini-Review on the Possible Interconnections between the Gut-Brain Axis and the Infertility-Related Neuropsychiatric Comorbidities
by Gabriela Simionescu, Ovidiu-Dumitru Ilie, Alin Ciobica, Bogdan Doroftei, Radu Maftei, Delia Grab, Jack McKenna, Nitasha Dhunna, Ioannis Mavroudis and Emil Anton
Brain Sci. 2020, 10(6), 384; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10060384 - 17 Jun 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4826
Abstract
Both the gut-brain axis (GBA) and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis remain an intriguing yet obscure network with a strong influence over other systems of organs. Recent reports have sought to describe the multitude of harmful stressors that may impact the HPA axis along [...] Read more.
Both the gut-brain axis (GBA) and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis remain an intriguing yet obscure network with a strong influence over other systems of organs. Recent reports have sought to describe the multitude of harmful stressors that may impact the HPA axis along with the interconnections between these. This has improved our knowledge of how the underlying mechanisms working to establish homeostasis are affected. A disruption to the HPA axis can amplify the chances of gastrointestinal deficiencies, whilst also increasing the risk of a wide spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders. Thus, the influence of microorganisms found throughout the digestive tract possess the ability to affect both physiology and behaviour by triggering responses, which may be unfavourable. This is sometimes the case in of infertility. Numerous supplements have been formulated with the intention of rebalancing the gut microflora. Accordingly, the gut flora may alter the pharmacokinetics of drugs used as part of fertility treatments, potentially exacerbating the predisposition for various neurological disorders, regardless of the age and gender. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain–Microbiome Interactions)
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