Abstract:

Recent advances in technology and research have led to tremendous strides in understanding the critical role of gut bacteria in neurodevelopment. Both the presence and composition of this intestinal community influences various aspects of central and enteric nervous systems physiology, thus shaping behaviour and neural function. Furthermore, signalling along the gut-brain axis, even through a single bacterial species, can alter the developmental trajectory of the stress circuitry and functional responses to stress. Gut-brain signalling is complex and bidirectional, mediated through multiple candidate pathways that enable this interplay, including the vagus nerve, the immune system, and an array of metabolite mediators. Given the sensitivity of the early developmental period to environmental perturbations, and the possible long-term consequences on the onset of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions, further understanding of the mechanisms underlying gut-brain signalling and its role in development is critical to gaining insight into such conditions and identifying potentially novel therapeutic strategies.