The role of the intestine as a target with a therapeutic role in people with neurodegenerative diseases

Abstract

There is a bidirectional exchange known as the gut-brain axis with several connections including the vagus nerve, the immune system, metabolites, and bacterial products. During dysbiosis, there is an alteration of the blood-brain barrier permeability and neuroinflammation. The objective of this review was to describe the role of the gut microbiota and its therapeutic role in neurodegenerative diseases. The gut microbiota-brain axis includes a set of microorganisms including common bacteria (Lactobacillus and S. aureus), fungi, and viruses that play an important role in gut function, such as barrier protection and preventing the passage of bacteria or pathogens from outside the gut, as well as metabolizing carbohydrates and producing vitamins K, B12, and B7. However, when the gut microbiota is altered due to stress, diet, or other factors, communication through ascending pathways can lead to alterations in the immune, endocrine, and nervous responses.