title: Schizophrenia and the gut-brain axis.
abstract: Several risk factors for the development of schizophrenia can be linked through a common pathway in the intestinal tract. It is now increasingly recognized that bidirectional communication exists between the brain and the gut that uses neural, hormonal, and immunological routes. An increased incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) barrier dysfunction, food antigen sensitivity, inflammation, and the metabolic syndrome is seen in schizophrenia. These findings may be influenced by the composition of the gut microbiota. A significant subgroup of patients may benefit from the initiation of a gluten and casein-free diet. Antimicrobials and probiotics have therapeutic potential for reducing the metabolic dysfunction and immune dysregulation seen in patients with schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States. Electronic address: Katlyn.nemani@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Katlyn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nemani
authors.affiliation: University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hosseini Ghomi
authors.affiliation: University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States.
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McCormick
authors.affiliation: University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States.
authors.forename: Xiaoduo
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Fan
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D064307:Microbiota / Q000502:physiology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents
keywords: Gluten; Gut; Inflammation; Microbiota; Probiotics; Schizophrenia