Cited by 85Gut microbiota and healthTryptophan and brain disordersGastrointestinal motility and disorders

Sex Differences in the Gut-Brain Axis: Implications for Mental Health

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Holingue, Calliope, Budavari, Alexa Curhan, Rodriguez, Katrina M., Zisman, Corina R., Windheim, Grace, Fallin, M. Daniele·2020·Current Psychiatry Reports

Abstract

Purpose of review The purpose of this article is to highlight how sex differences in the gut-brain axis may contribute to the discrepancies in incidence of neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, and neurodegenerative disorders between females and males. We focus on autism spectrum disorder, psychotic disorders, stress and anxiety disorders, depression, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease and additionally discuss the comorbidity between inflammatory bowel disorder and mental health disorders.Recent findings Human and animal studies show that sex may modify the relationship between the gut or immune system and brain and behavior. Sex also appears to modify the effect of microbial treatments such as probiotics and antibiotics on brain and behavior. There is emerging evidence that assessing the role of sex in the gut-brain axis may help elucidate the etiology of and identify effective treatments for neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, and neurodegenerative disorders.

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  • Of the 44 documents, 31 were empirical/quantitative studies and 13 were reviews.

    “Of the 44 documents, 31 were empirical/quantitative studies30–60 and 13 were reviews.61–73”
  • There are sex differences in the microbiome associated with childhood temperament.

    “This study indicated that there are sex differences in the microbiome associated with childhood temperament.”
  • A possible explanation of sex differences in mental health is the gut-brain axis, which responds to bidirectional canal communication between microbiota and the neurological system.

    “Not specifically related to cerebral regions but with neurological communication, Holingue et al. 67 pointed out that a possible explanation of sex differences in mental health is the gut-brain axis, which responds to the bidirectional canal communication between microbiota and the neurological system.”
  • Evidence suggests that the gut-brain axis and microbiome can modulate brain development and behaviour, impacting mental health and neurodevelopmental outcomes while also interacting with sex-related attributes.

    “Evidence suggests that the gut–brain axis and microbiome can modulate brain development and behaviour293, impacting mental health and neurodevelopmental outcomes294 while also interacting with sex-related attributes295.”

    From Sex and gender in neurodevelopmental conditions (2023) · cites this paper as [294]

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Authors
Holingue, C., Budavari, A. C., Rodriguez, K. M., Zisman, C. R., Windheim, G., & Fallin, M. D.
Affiliations
  • Kennedy Krieger Institute (US)
  • Johns Hopkins University (US)
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
Corresponding author
Holingue, Calliope
Venue
Current Psychiatry Reports
Published
2020-11-20
Volume
22
Issue
12
Pages
83-83
ISSN
  • 1523-3812 (ISSN-L)
  • 1535-1645
OpenAlex
W3102296732
Cited by
85
References
113
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 1
FWCI
1.20
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Current Psychiatry Reports (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (T32MH014592)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
Keywords
gut-brain axis, sex differences, mental health, autism spectrum disorder, psychosis, anxiety disorders, depression, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, neurodegenerative diseases, neurodevelopmental disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, gut microbiota, probiotics, antibiotics, sex differences in disease incidence
MeSH terms
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Animals, Brain, Female, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Sex Characteristics

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