Abstract
Mental health is determined by a complex interplay between the Neurological Exposome and the Human Genome. Multiple genetic and non-genetic (exposome) factors interact early in life, modulating the risk of developing the most common complex neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), with potential long-term consequences on health. To date, the understating of the precise etiology underpinning these neurological alterations, and their clinical management pose a challenge. The crucial role played by diet and gut microbiota in brain development and functioning would indicate that modulating the gut-brain axis may help protect against the onset and progression of mental-health disorders. Some nutritional deficiencies and gut microbiota alterations have been linked to NDDs, suggesting their potential pathogenic implications. In addition, certain dietary interventions have emerged as promising alternatives or adjuvant strategies for improving the management of particular NDDs, at least in particular subsets of subjects. The gut microbiota can be a key to mediating the effects of other exposome factors such as diet on mental health, and ongoing research in Psychiatry and Neuropediatrics is developing Precision Nutrition Models to classify subjects according to a diet response prediction based on specific individual features, including microbiome signatures. Here, we review current scientific evidence for the impact of early life environmental factors, including diet, on gut microbiota and neuro-development, emphasizing the potential long-term consequences on health; and also summarize the state of the art regarding the mechanisms underlying diet and gut microbiota influence on the brain–gut axis. Furthermore, we describe the evidence supporting the key role played by gut microbiota, diet and nutrition in neurodevelopment, as well as the effectiveness of certain dietary and microbiome-based interventions aimed at preventing or treating NDDs. Finally, we emphasize the need for further research to gain greater insight into the complex interplay between diet, gut microbiome and brain development. Such knowledge would help towards achieving tailored integrative treatments, including personalized nutrition.
Highlights
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are linked to the disruption of coordinated events leading to neurodevelopmental processes, and constitute a cluster of disorders characterized by the inability to reach cognitive, emotional, and motor developmental milestones [1]
The same study revealed that maternal immune activation (MIA) offspring displayed an altered serum metabolomic profile, and that B. fragilis supplementation was able to positively modulate levels of several metabolites [70]. These findings strongly indicate the strong potential of probiotic therapy for GI and specific behavioral symptoms linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs)
Total plasma homocysteine (Hcy) level is considered as a sensitive measure of these deficiencies and elevated Hcy levels have been widely associated with the etiology of numerous health impairments, especially cardiovascular diseases and several mental health disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and SZ [164] and some studies have reported a positive correlation between Hcy levels and SZ illness severity [165]
Summary
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are linked to the disruption of coordinated events leading to neurodevelopmental processes, and constitute a cluster of disorders characterized by the inability to reach cognitive, emotional, and motor developmental milestones [1]. In this context, we should highlight that the relationship between diet and mental health is complex and bidirectional, and studies report less healthy dietary choices among patients with NDDs [30, 31]. It is important to highlight that the full understanding of the early interaction between gut microbiota, environment and host through well-designed prospective human studies at early stages in life would open new insights for microbiome-based therapeutic interventions Such strategies could prevent the development of NDDs in individuals at risk, or improve the treatment of NDD diagnosed subjects. It is important to note the role of gut microbiota in modulating gut permeability, as well as the permeability of the blood-brain barrier by regulating the expression of tight-junction proteins [70]
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