The microbiota-gut-brain axis in hippocampus-dependent learning and memory: current state and future challenges

Eloise J. Kuijer, Laura Steenbergen

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

16 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

A fundamental shift in neuroscience suggests bidirectional interaction of gut microbiota with the healthy and dysfunctional brain. This microbiota-gut-brain axis has mainly been investigated in stress-related psychopathology (e.g. depression, anxiety). The hippocampus, a key structure in both the healthy brain and psychopathologies, is implicated by work in rodents that suggests gut microbiota substantially impact hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. However, understanding microbiota-hippocampus mechanisms in health and disease, and translation to humans, is hampered by the absence of a coherent evaluative approach. We review the current knowledge regarding four main gut microbiota-hippocampus routes in rodents: through the vagus nerve; via the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal-axis; by metabolism of neuroactive substances; and through modulation of host inflammation. Next, we suggest an approach including testing (biomarkers of) the four routes as a function of the influence of gut microbiota (composition) on hippocampal-dependent (dys)functioning. We argue that such an approach is necessary to proceed from the current state of preclinical research to beneficial application in humans to optimise microbiota-based strategies to treat and enhance hippocampal-dependent memory (dys)functions.

Original languageEnglish
Article number105296
JournalNeuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
Volume152
Early online date26 Jun 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Sept 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The work by Laura Steenbergen was supported by a Veni grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research ( NWO, 016. Veni.198.030 ). The funding source had no further role in the work reported in this review.

Keywords

  • Dysbiosis
  • Gut microbiota
  • Hippocampus
  • HPA-axis
  • Inflammation
  • Learning
  • Memory
  • Metabolites
  • Microbiota-gut-brain axis
  • Neurogenesis
  • Prebiotic
  • Probiotic
  • Short chain fatty acid
  • Vagus nerve

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

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