Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Neurological Disorders: From Leaky Barriers Microanatomical Changes to Biochemical Processes

The gastrointestinal tract and the Central Nervous System are distinct because of evident morpho-functional features. Nonetheless, evidence indicates that these systems are bidirectionally connected through the gut-brain axis, defined as the signaling that takes place between the gastrointestinal tract and Central Nervous System, which plays in concert with the gut microbiota, i.e. the myriad of microorganisms residing in the lumen of the human intestine. In particular, it has been described that gut microbiota abnormalities, referred to as dysbiosis, may affect both Central Nervous System development and physiology.