The Role of the Gut and Oral Microbiota in Neurodevelopment: Molecular Biological Insights

Dear Colleagues,

The populations of microorganisms that colonize humans create a specific ecosystem that has been collectively called the human microbiota. The microbiota plays an important physiopathological role in various parts of the body. The intestinal microbiota and the oral microbiota are the most important, because, qualitatively and quantitatively, they present more varied and numerous populations of microorganisms. In addition, the oral microbiota is more sensitive to variations in these microbial populations. Furthermore, they present microbiota biochemical axes of bidirectional biochemical action and intercommunication with other systems, such as the respiratory system and nervous system. Recent research has highlighted the importance of nutrition and lifestyle in ensuring the presence of a balanced microbiota (eubiotic) to maintain homeostasis in the human body and promote good health. In fact, if qualitative and quantitative variations occur in the microbial composition in the intestinal tract, this could have negative (dysbiosis) or positive local and systemic effects on the health of the host. These variations, which lead to dysbiosis microbiota, can influence the bidirectional axes between the intestinal–oral microbiota and the brain, with specific reactions at the molecular level. For this Special Issue, I invite submissions of articles presenting data from the most recent and relevant research on molecular-based interactions between the gut–oral-microbiota–brain axis and their metabolome, to uncover novel biomolecular pathways and processes that may lead to neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive–affective and neurodevelopmental disorders. Finally, we aim to detect the biomechanisms of action behind so-called psychobiotics, to explain their action both at the level of immunity and at the level of neuromodulation and neurotrophic molecules.

Dr. Ioannis Alexandros Charitos
Guest Editor

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