• Eoin Sherwin, Kieran Rea, Timothy G Dinan, and John F Cryan.
• aAPC Microbiome Institute bDepartment of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science cDepartment of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
• Curr. Opin. Gastroenterol. 2016 Mar 1; 32 (2): 96-102.

Purpose Of ReviewThere is an increasing realization that the microorganisms which reside within our gut form part of a complex multidirectional communication network with the brain known as the microbiome-gut-brain axis. In this review, we focus on recent findings which support a role for this axis in modulating neurodevelopment and behavior.Recent FindingsA growing body of research is uncovering that under homeostatic conditions and in response to internal and external stressors, the bacterial commensals of our gut can signal to the brain through a variety of mechanisms to influence processes such neurotransmission, neurogenesis, microglia activation, and modulate behavior. Moreover, the mechanisms underlying the ability of stress to modulate the microbiota and also for microbiota to change the set point for stress sensitivity are being unraveled. Dysregulation of the gut microbiota composition has been identified in a number of psychiatric disorders, including depression. This has led to the concept of bacteria that have a beneficial effect upon behavior and mood (psychobiotics) being proposed for potential therapeutic interventions.SummaryUnderstanding the mechanisms by which the bacterial commensals of our gut are involved in brain function may lead to the development of novel microbiome-based therapies for these mood and behavioral disorders.

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