Neurodegenerative disorders are progressive conditions of the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. The gut microbiome is a microecosystem that consists of billions of bacteria and fungi, most of which are of good benefit to the human body’s internal milieu via regulating the immune system and controlling the neuronal signals intertwining the gut and the nervous system. Differences and deficiencies in the composition of the gut microbiota have been noted to occur in many chronic neurodegenerative CNS disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, etc. Multiple studies have been done so as to understand the best composition of the gut bacteria, and studies have also been undertaken to understand how we can tweak the gut by introducing probiotics and prebiotic compounds, which benefits the individual in reducing the chances of acquiring a neurodegenerative illness and may also help to control the progression of the diseases in those already afflicted. There are many ways by which the gut microbiome influences the CNS, including immune and hormonal pathways, short-chain fatty acid metabolism, modulation of the gut–brain axis, etc. An imbalance in the microbiome can have massive consequences for the host, resulting in faulty endocrine, immunological, and neuronal signaling that may accelerate the neurodegenerative process, culminating in debilitating diseases. Nutraceutical therapy using probiotics shows immense hope as prophylactic agents or adjunctive treatment strategy in the neurotherapeutics in this regard as it results in the homeostasis of the gut microbiome, which indirectly affects the CNS, resulting in slowing of the neurodegenerative process. CLICK TO REVIEW
Keywords
Neurodegenerative diseases Probiotics Gut microbiome Short-chain fatty acids