The Gut-Brain Axis

Book excerpt: The Gut-Brain Axis: Dietary, Probiotic, and Prebiotic Interventions on the Microbiota, Second Edition presents the most advances on how the gut microbiome influences central nervous system and brain function introduced in the first edition. The book also describes how environmental influences which affect the microbiota, including, diet, exercise, and early-life, impact on the gut-brain axis. The second edition contains new chapters on metabolomics and the gut-brain-axis; dietary factors in the maintenance of a healthy brain ; the role of gut microbes in neurodegenerative disorders; the link between exercise and the gut-brain-axis; and infant Nutrition, the microbiome and neurodevelopment. In addition, the second edition presents coverage of mechanisms underlying neurological disease; approaches to investigate the role of the microbiome in brain and behavior, and 'next generation' probiotics and prebiotics. The Gut-Brain Axis: Dietary, Probiotic, and Prebiotic Interventions on the Microbiota, Second Edition continues to be the "go-to resource for further exploration of the microbiota. - Includes five new chapters focused on metabolomics and the gut-brain axis; dietary polyphenols to maintain healthier brain measures and cognitive function; the role of gut microbes in neurodegenerative disorders, exploration of exercise and the gut-brain axis, and coverage of infant nutrition, the microbiome, and neurodevelopment - Addresses the role of the microbiota in several significant disorders characterized by disruption of the gut-brain axis - Focuses on specific ways by which the microbiota can be manipulated to influence gut-brain communication - Examines common mechanisms and pathways by which the microbiota may influence brain and behavior and how environmental factors influence the microbiome - Discusses strategies to explore the contribution of the microbiome to the gut-brain axis; methods to enhance therapeutic strategies targeted toward the microbiota; and regulatory consideration