Microbiota-gut-brain axis as a regulator of reward processes

This research article examines the critical role of gut microbiota in maintaining homeostasis and influencing host physiology, particularly in relation to the central nervous system’s reward processes. Recent studies suggest a bidirectional communication pathway between the gut microbiota and the brain, indicating that this interaction is crucial in modulating reward valence. The discussion focuses on the mesocorticolimbic pathway, detailing how gut microbiota affects brain functions related to both natural reinforcers (such as eating, social, and sexual behaviors) and non-natural reinforcers (including drug addiction behaviors related to substances like alcohol, psychostimulants, opioids, and cannabinoids). The integration of preclinical and clinical evidence positions the microbiota-gut-brain axis as a significant factor in the development of disorders associated with alterations in the reward system, proposing it as a potential target for therapeutic strategies in nutritional psychology. [NPID: Microbiota, brain, reinforcers, reward processes, mesocorticolimbic pathway]

Year: 2021

Reference: García-Cabrerizo, R., Carbia, C., O Riordan, K. J., Schellekens, H., & Cryan, J. F. (2021). Microbiota-gut-brain axis as a regulator of reward processes. Journal of neurochemistry, 157(5), 1495–1524. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15284

Related Studies

Gut microbiome composition and diversity are related to human personality traits

The gut microbiome exerts a considerable influence on the human brain, in parameters such as stress, anxiety, depression and overall behavioral patterns. This observable microbiome-gut-brain axis is potentially controlled by various methods, including neural, immune and endocrine signaling. The quantity of human studies investigating these interaction patterns remains poor, which compelled Johnson (2020) to explore […]

Fecal Lcn-2 level is a sensitive biological indicator for gut dysbiosis and intestinal inflammation in multiple sclerosis

In this study by Yadav et al. (2022), the authors investigated the mechanisms linking Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with gastrointestinal inflammation and derangements of the gut microbiome. Humanized transgenic (Tg) HLA-DR2a and human T cell receptor (TCR) specific for myelin basic protein peptide (MBP87-99)/HLA-DR2a were examined for signs of gastrointestinal inflammation (immune cell infiltration) during the […]