A Healthy Gut for a Healthy Brain: Preclinical, Clinical and Regulatory Aspects

Title:A Healthy Gut for a Healthy Brain: Preclinical, Clinical and Regulatory Aspects

Volume: 19 Issue: 5

Author(s): Carla Petrella*, Stefano Farioli-Vecchioli, Giusy Ylenia Cisale, Georgios Strimpakos, John Joseph Borg, Mauro Ceccanti, Marco Fiore*, Giovanni Monteleone and Robert Nisticò

Affiliation:

• Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC, CNR, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome,Italy

• Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC, CNR, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome,Italy

Keywords: Gut-brain axis, aging, alcohol, autism, brain disorders, preclinical and clinical studies, regulatory aspects.

Abstract:

A large body of research has shown the presence of a complex pathway of communications between the gut and the brain. It is now recognized that, through this pathway, the microbiota can influence brain homeostasis and plasticity under normal and pathological conditions.

This review aims at providing an overview of preclinical and clinical pieces of evidence supporting the possible role of gut-brain axis modulation in physiological aging, in a neurodevelopmental disorder, the autism spectrum disorders and in a substance abuse disorder, the alcohol addiction.

Since the normalization of gut flora can prevent changes in the behavior, we postulate that the gutbrain axis might represent a possible target for pharmacological and dietary strategies aimed at improving not only intestinal but also mental health. The present review also reports some regulatory considerations regarding the use of probiotics, illustrating the most debated issues about the possibility of considering probiotics not only as a food supplement but also as a “full” medicinal product.

Cite this article as:

Petrella Carla *, Farioli-Vecchioli Stefano , Cisale Ylenia Giusy , Strimpakos Georgios, Borg Joseph John , Ceccanti Mauro , Fiore Marco *, Monteleone Giovanni and Nisticò Robert, A Healthy Gut for a Healthy Brain: Preclinical, Clinical and Regulatory Aspects, Current Neuropharmacology 2021; 19 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570159X18666200730111528