The gut microbiota–brain axis in neurological disorders

Previous studies have shown a bidirectional communication between human gut microbiota and the brain, known as the microbiota–gut–brain axis (MGBA). The MGBA influences the host's nervous system development, emotional regulation, and cognitive function through neurotransmitters, immune modulation, and metabolic pathways. Factors like diet, lifestyle, genetics, and environment shape the gut microbiota composition together. Most research have explored how gut microbiota regulates host physiology and its potential in preventing and treating neurological disorders. However, the individual heterogeneity of gut microbiota, strains playing a dominant role in neurological diseases, and the interactions of these microbial metabolites with the central/peripheral nervous systems still need exploration. This review summarizes the potential role of gut microbiota in driving neurodevelopmental disorders (autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder), neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease), and mood disorders (anxiety and depression) in recent years and discusses the current clinical and preclinical gut microbe‐based interventions, including dietary intervention, probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation. It also puts forward the current insufficient research on gut microbiota in neurological disorders and provides a framework for further research on neurological disorders. Gut microbiota driving neurological disorders. Gut microbiota may drive neurodevelopmental disorders (ASD and ADHD), neurodegenerative disorders (AD and PD), and mood disorders (anxiety and depression) through gastrointestinal disorders, gut microbiota disorders, decreased diversity of gut microbiota, delayed development of gut microbiota, and so on.