Impact of the microbiota on the gut-brain axis: from physiology to disease

The brain, under the influence… This is the direction neuroscience has been taking for just over 10 years. We long thought that the central nervous system was closed, partitioned behind barriers, notably the blood-brain barrier, not readily permeable to external influences. It soon became evident that neurology could not escape the very principles of integrated systems.

Brain development and plasticity are eminently dependent on numerous extrinsic stimuli (environment, exercise, social relations, etc.) and intrinsic stimuli (interdependent systems and metabolism, etc.). Yet, far back, the microbiota, particularly the gut microbiota, could be suspected as having a direct influence on neurological disease. Evidence abounds and this influence appears to be exerted via two main pathways: either the enteric nervous system, or via significant changes to the immune system. It is therefore natural to dedicate the second special issue of La Revue des Microbiotes to neurology.

The editorial board would like to thank the authors of this issue for their outstanding work in allowing us to glimpse new prospects in our patient management, particularly in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis.