Influence of gut microbiota on neuropsychiatric disorders

Figure 1 Schematic representation of the mechanisms involved in the relationship between microbiota and brain development and function: Cytokine balance and microglia activation (immune pathway), cortisol (endocrine pathway) and vagus and enteric nervous system (neural pathway). The axis plays an important role in homeostasis and has been linked to several disorders. Altered gut microbiota composition enhances the risk of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders possibly from microbiota-derived products such as small chain fatty acids and neurotransmitters. HPA: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal.