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Review
. 2023 Oct 16;15(20):4391.
doi: 10.3390/nu15204391.

The Gut-Brain Axis in Schizophrenia: The Implications of the Gut Microbiome and SCFA Production

Songhyun Ju  1   2   3 , Yoonhwa Shin  1   2   3 , Sunhee Han  1   2   3 , Juhui Kwon  1   2   3 , Tae Gyu Choi  2 , Insug Kang  1   2   3 , Sung Soo Kim  1   2   3
Affiliations
Review

The Gut-Brain Axis in Schizophrenia: The Implications of the Gut Microbiome and SCFA Production

Songhyun Ju et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Schizophrenia, a severe mental illness affecting about 1% of the population, manifests during young adulthood, leading to abnormal mental function and behavior. Its multifactorial etiology involves genetic factors, experiences of adversity, infection, and gene-environment interactions. Emerging research indicates that maternal infection or stress during pregnancy may also increase schizophrenia risk in offspring. Recent research on the gut-brain axis highlights the gut microbiome's potential influence on central nervous system (CNS) function and mental health, including schizophrenia. The gut microbiota, located in the digestive system, has a significant role to play in human physiology, affecting immune system development, vitamin synthesis, and protection against pathogenic bacteria. Disruptions to the gut microbiota, caused by diet, medication use, environmental pollutants, and stress, may lead to imbalances with far-reaching effects on CNS function and mental health. Of interest are short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), metabolic byproducts produced by gut microbes during fermentation. SCFAs can cross the blood-brain barrier, influencing CNS activity, including microglia and cytokine modulation. The dysregulation of neurotransmitters produced by gut microbes may contribute to CNS disorders, including schizophrenia. This review explores the potential relationship between SCFAs, the gut microbiome, and schizophrenia. Our aim is to deepen the understanding of the gut-brain axis in schizophrenia and to elucidate its implications for future research and therapeutic approaches.

Keywords: blood–brain barrier; gut microbiota; gut–brain axis; schizophrenia; short-chain fatty acids.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Various factors that can trigger schizophrenia.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Influences on gut microbiota composition.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Microbiota–gut–brain axis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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