Malnutrition and the microbiome as modifiers of early neurodevelopment

Elena J L Coley; Elaine Y Hsiao

doi:10.1016/j.tins.2021.06.004

Malnutrition and the microbiome as modifiers of early neurodevelopment

Trends Neurosci. 2021 Sep;44(9):753-764. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2021.06.004. Epub 2021 Jul 21.

Authors

Elena J L Coley¹, Elaine Y Hsiao²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. Electronic address: ecoley7@g.ucla.edu.
² Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.

PMID: 34303552
DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2021.06.004

Abstract

Malnutrition refers to a dearth, excess, or altered differential ratios of calories, macronutrients, or micronutrients. Malnutrition, particularly during early life, is a pressing global health and socioeconomic burden that is increasingly associated with neurodevelopmental impairments. Understanding how perinatal malnutrition influences brain development is crucial to uncovering fundamental mechanisms for establishing behavioral neurocircuits, with the potential to inform public policy and clinical interventions for neurodevelopmental conditions. Recent studies reveal that the gut microbiome can mediate dietary effects on host physiology and that the microbiome modulates the development and function of the nervous system. This review discusses evidence that perinatal malnutrition alters brain development and examines the maternal and neonatal microbiome as a potential contributing factor.

Keywords: brain; development; diet; malnutrition; microbiota; perinatal.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Review

MeSH terms

Diet
Female
Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Malnutrition*
Microbiota*
Nervous System
Pregnancy

Grants and funding

F31 MH090749/MH/NIMH NIH HHS/United States