The Gut Microbiome, Mental Health, and Cognitive and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Scoping Review

Nurse practitioners encounter many patients with concerns related to mental health, cognitive disorders, or neurodevelopmental disorders. Marketing of supplements and foods geared toward the gut microbiome and mental health has increased, despite limited evidence of efficacy. A scoping review of the literature published through November 2021 was conducted using the Arksey and O’Malley framework to map the findings. Thirty-two articles ultimately met inclusion criteria. Findings were mapped to summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the gut microbiome, mental health, and cognitive and neurodevelopmental disorders as well as clinical implications for the nurse practitioner. The relationship between the gut microbiome and mental health appears bidirectional. Currently, there is limited evidence for probiotic supplements for mental or cognitive health. Of the 32 articles surveyed, 12 related to probiotic interventions, with 9 demonstrating benefit to mental or cognitive health related outcomes, and 5 specifically demonstrating benefit in depression. There is evidence to support interventions such as diet changes, physical activity, and stress management as ways to support a healthy gut microbiome, which may in turn benefit mental or cognitive health. Research on the gut microbiome, mental health, and cognitive and neurodevelopmental disorders continues to evolve. At present, nurse practitioners can provide evidence-based counsel regarding lifestyle factors to improve physical and mental health, which may also influence the gut microbiome. •The relationship between the gut microbiome and mental health and cognitive and neurodevelopmental disorders is complex and bidirectional.•Nurse practitioners can benefit from increased knowledge of the gut–brain axis and lifestyle interventions to support whole health.•At present, there is limited evidence to support probiotic supplementation for mental health.•Current evidence supports lifestyle interventions such as the Mediterranean diet, physical activity, and stress management.