• Michael Ganci, Emra Suleyman, Henry Butt, and Michelle Ball.
• Psychology Department, Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
• Brain Behav. 2019 Nov 1; 9 (11): e01408.

IntroductionThe prevalence of psychological disorders remains stable despite steady increases in pharmacological treatments suggesting the need for auxiliary treatment options. Consideration of the brain-gut-microbiota axis (BGMA) has made inroads into reconceptualizing psychological illness from a more holistic perspective. While our understanding of the precise role of gut microbiota (GM) in psychological illness is in its infancy, it represents an attractive target for novel interventions.MethodAn extensive review of relevant literature was undertaken.ResultsGut microbiota are proposed to directly and indirectly influence mood, cognition, and behavior which are key components of mental health. This paper outlines how GM may be implicated in psychological disorders from etiology through to treatment and prevention using the Four P model of case formulation.ConclusionMoving forward, integration of GM into the conceptualization and treatment of psychological illness will require the discipline of psychology to undergo a significant paradigm shift. While the importance of the GM in psychological well-being must be respected, it is not proposed to be a panacea, but instead, an additional arm to a multidisciplinary approach to treatment and prevention.© 2019 The Authors. Brain and Behavior published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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