RESIDENT: Microbial Dysbiosis and Mental Health
Presenting Author(s): Dr. Tyler Halverson
Co-Author(s): Joao Morgadinho; Kannayiram Alagiakrishnan
Date and time: 23 Mar 2024 from 16:05 to 16:20
Location: Hawthorn C
Abstract
Throughout the human body there is a vast number of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, that make up the human microbiome. There are various connections between the microbiomes, specific organs, and the brain known as brain-organ-microbiome axes. It has been found that these axes can influence a multitude of different diseases and conditions. In particular, there is a growing body of evidence that the Brain-Gut-Microbiome axis can play a role in various mental health and even neurocognitive disorders. To date, psychiatric and neurocognitive disorders contribute to an all-cause morbidity burden worldwide. Current treatments have shown effectiveness in managing these conditions, however, there continues to be challenges with incomplete resolution of symptoms, undesirable side-effects, and cases of treatment resistance. From this, there may be a role in exploring gut health as an adjuvant therapy for psychiatric conditions. Many individuals with a psychiatric diagnosis, such as anxiety and depression, have altered microbial composition compared to healthy controls. By restoring microbial balance, from dysbiosis to eubiosis may serve as a means to help with symptom improvement and provide benefit to these patients. This can be achieved through the use of gut biotics, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics, as well as through diet modifications. Ongoing research, particularly with randomized-controlled trials and longitudinal studies, is still needed to help solidify these approaches as a viable therapeutic modality.
Learning Objectives
1. Review the Brain-Gut-Microbiome Axis and concept of microbial dysbiosis;
2. Explore alterations in the gut-microbiome and its impaction mental health disorders; and
3. Discuss how restoring microbial balance in the gut can improve mental health symptoms.
Literature References
1. Halverson T, Alagiakrishnan K. Gut microbes in neurocognitive and mental health disorders. Ann Med. 2020 Dec;52(8):423-443. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2020.1808239. Epub 2020 Aug 31. PMID: 32772900; PMCID: PMC7877977.
2. Alagiakrishnan K, Halverson T. Microbial Therapeutics in Neurocognitive and Psychiatric Disorders. J Clin Med Res. 2021 Sep;13(9):439-459. doi: 10.14740/jocmr4575. Epub 2021 Sep 30. PMID: 34691318; PMCID: PMC8510649.