Cited by 204Gut microbiota and healthMaternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and PostpartumChild Abuse and Trauma

Early-life adversity and brain development: Is the microbiome a missing piece of the puzzle?

O’Mahony, S.M., Clarke, G., Dinan, T.G., Cryan, J.F.·2017·Neuroscience

Abstract

The prenatal and postnatal early-life periods are both dynamic and vulnerable windows for brain development. During these important neurodevelopmental phases, essential processes and structures are established. Exposure to adverse events that interfere with this critical sequence of events confers a high risk for the subsequent emergence of mental illness later in life. It is increasingly accepted that the gastrointestinal microbiota contributes substantially to shaping the development of the central nervous system. Conversely, several studies have shown that early-life events can also impact on this gut community. Due to the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain, it is possible that aberrant situations affecting either organ in early life can impact on the other. Studies have now shown that deviations from the gold standard trajectory of gut microbiota establishment and development in early life can lead not only to disorders of the gastrointestinal tract but also complex metabolic and immune disorders. These are being extended to disorders of the central nervous system and understanding how the gut microbiome shapes brain and behavior during early life is an important new frontier in neuroscience.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.09.068

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  • Various previous studies have suggested profound microbiome effects on neuroendocrine and immune function, such that dysbiosis could compound ELA-related changes including cortisol dysregulation and chronic inflammation.

    “Various previous studies have suggested profound microbiome effects on neuroendocrine and immune function, such that dysbiosis could compound ELA-related changes including cortisol dysregulation and chronic inflammation [73–77].”
  • Neuronal development is supported and shaped by maternal microbiota.

    “In this period, neuronal development takes place (73) and it is supported and shaped by maternal microbiota (74–79).”
  • Certain altered brain developments and behaviors observed in germ-free mice can be resolved or improved when newborn animals are reconstituted with a diverse and intact flora.

    “Consistently, certain altered brain developments and behaviors observed in GF mice could be resolved/improved when new born animals were reconstituted with a diverse and intact flora (73, 82, 83).”

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Authors
O’Mahony, S. M., Clarke, G., Dinan, T. G., & Cryan, J. F.
Affiliations
University College Cork (IE)
Corresponding author
  • O’Mahony, S.M.
  • Cryan, J.F.
Venue
Neuroscience
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2017-02
Volume
342
Pages
37-54
ISSN
0306-4522 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2218048576
Cited by
203
References
298
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 30 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 2
FWCI
1.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
Keywords
childhood adversity, brain development, gut microbiota, gut-brain axis, prenatal exposure, postnatal development, mental illness risk, central nervous system development, behavior
MeSH terms
Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Animals, Brain, Female, Humans, Pregnancy, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects, Stress, Psychological

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