A comprehensive review on the pharmacological role of gut microbiome in neurodegenerative disorders: potential therapeutic targets

• Published in: Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology 2024-10, Vol.397 (10), p.7307-7336
• Main Authors: Aziz, Namra, Wal, Pranay, Patel, Aman, Prajapati, Harshit
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal models; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Antibiotics; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Brain-Gut Axis - physiology; Central nervous system; Dysbacteriosis; Dysbiosis; Gastrointestinal Microbiome - drug effects; Gastrointestinal Microbiome - physiology; Homeostasis; Humans; Immune system; Intestinal microflora; Metabolites; Microbiomes; Neurodegenerative diseases; Neurodegenerative Diseases - drug therapy; Neurodegenerative Diseases - microbiology; Neurological diseases; Neurological disorders; Neuromodulation; Neurosciences; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Prebiotics - administration & dosage; Probiotics; Probiotics - therapeutic use; Public health; Review; Therapeutic targets
• ISSN: 0028-1298; 1432-1912; 1432-1912
• DOI: 10.1007/s00210-024-03109-4

Neurological disorders, including Alzheimer and Parkinson’s, pose significant challenges to public health due to their complex etiologies and limited treatment options. Recent advances in research have highlighted the intricate bidirectional communication between the gut microbiome and the central nervous system (CNS), revealing a potential therapeutic avenue for neurological disorders. Thus, this review aims to summarize the current understanding of the pharmacological role of gut microbiome in neurological disorders. Mounting evidence suggests that the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in modulating CNS function through various mechanisms, including the production of neurotransmitters, neuroactive metabolites, and immune system modulation. Dysbiosis, characterized by alterations in gut microbial composition and function, has been observed in many neurological disorders, indicating a potential causative or contributory role. Pharmacological interventions targeting the gut microbiome have emerged as promising therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders. Probiotics, prebiotics, antibiotics, and microbial metabolite-based interventions have shown beneficial effects in animal models and some human studies. These interventions aim to restore microbial homeostasis, enhance microbial diversity, and promote the production of beneficial metabolites. However, several challenges remain, including the need for standardized protocols, identification of specific microbial signatures associated with different neurological disorders, and understanding the precise mechanisms underlying gut-brain communication. Further research is necessary to unravel the intricate interactions between the gut microbiome and the CNS and to develop targeted pharmacological interventions for neurological disorders. Graphical Abstract