DISRUPTION OF THE INTESTINAL MICROBIOTA AS A KEY FACTOR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PSYCHONEUROLOGICAL DYSFUNCTIONS: AN INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENTIFIC STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/health-2025.4.5Keywords:
neuropsychological diseases; dysbiosis; gut–microbiome–brain axis; probiotics; neurodegenerative diseases.Abstract
Background. In recent decades, the role of intestinal flora in human health and disease has become the subject of extensive study. Researchers have found that intestinal bacteria are not only involved in digestion but also affect the immune system, metabolism, and the functioning of the central nervous system. In particular, disturbances in the balance of intestinal bacteria, known as dysbiosis, are associated with the development of various neuropsychiatric disorders. Aim and objectives. The purpose of the article is to conduct a comprehensive interdisciplinary analysis of the impact of intestinal microbiota disorders on neuropsychiatric diseases and to evaluate potential therapeutic strategies to influence the microbiota. Research methods. The article conducted a systematic literature review using the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar databases, covering research in recent years. Clinical, experimental, systematic review, and meta-analytic studies were included. Research results. The analysis shows that intestinal dysbiosis, in particular a decrease in the level of Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium and an increase in Proteobacteria and other opportunistic species, is associated with disorders of neurotransmitter metabolism, increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, impaired immune system function and the formation of autoantibodies, which contributes to the development of depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, autism, as well as neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. In accordance with disorders in the functioning of the «gut-microbiome-brain,» there are changes in cognitive, emotional, and behavioural processes, as well as an impact on the pathogenetic mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disorders. The literature also emphasises the potential therapeutic effects of probiotics, prebiotics, functional products, and antioxidant support on the microbiome, which can help correct dysbiosis, reduce inflammation, and improve patients' neuropsychiatric conditions. Conclusions. The results of generalised studies indicate the key role of the intestinal microbiota in the development of neuropsychological disorders and open new prospects for personalised approaches to the prevention and treatment of these diseases. This direction makes the topic relevant for further scientific and clinical research.
References
Широбоков В. П., Димент Г. С. Зв’язок між мікробіомом кишечника та розвитком нейродегенеративних захворювань (огляд). Вісник Національної академії наук України. 2024. № 7. С. 77–94. URL: https://doi.org/10.15407/ visn2024.07.077 .
Anand N., Gorantla V. R., Chidambaram S. B. The role of gut dysbiosis in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. Cells. 2022. Vol. 12, №1. P. 54. URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12010054 .
Bashir Y., Khan A. U. The interplay between the gut-brain axis and the microbiome: A perspective on psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2022. Vol. 16. URL: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.1030694 .
Chaudhary A. Role of gut virome and mycobiome in neurological disorders. Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis and CNS Disorders. 2025. P. 383–408. URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-443-21680-0.00017-1 .
Connection between Gut Microbiota and Neurodegenerative Diseases / A. Sen et al. Biotics and the Gut–Brain Axis in Neurological Disorders. Boca Raton, 2025. P. 71–80. URL: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003536802-6 .
Cutting-Edge ipsc-based approaches in studying host–microbe interactions in neuropsychiatric disorders / M. Mihailovich et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024. Vol. 25, №18. P. 10156. URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijms251810156 .
Delaney S., Hornig M. Environmental exposures and neuropsychiatric disorders: What role does the gut–immune–brain axis play?. Current Environmental Health Reports. 2018. Vol. 5, №1. P. 158–169. URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-018- 0186-z .
Doenyas C., Clarke G., Cserjési R. Gut–brain axis and neuropsychiatric health: Recent advances. Scientific Reports. 2025. Vol. 15, №1. URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86858-3 .
Friedland R. P., Haribabu B. Neurodegenerative diseases: from gut-brain axis to brain microbiome. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 2023. Vol. 15. URL: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2023.1171955 .
Gayathri D., Vasudha M., Prashantkumar C. S. Gut-Brain axis: Probiotic interactions and implications for human mental health. Microbiome-Gut-Brain axis. Singapore, 2022. P. 261–280. URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16- 1626-6_11 .
Gut as a second brain and its role in neurological diseases / N. Kumar et al. Role of gut microbiome in neurodegenerative disorders. 2026. P. 105–126. URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-443-29932-2.00001-3 .
Gut microbiome in neuropsychiatric disorders / D. M. Mejía-Granados et al. Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria. 2022. Vol. 80, №2. P. 192–207. URL: https://doi.org/10.1590/0004-282x-anp-2021-0052 .
Leveraging microbiome-based interventions to improve the management of neurodegenerative diseases: evidence for effects along the microbiota-gut-brain axis / N. Auclair-Ouellet et al. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2025. Vol. 12. URL: https://doi.org/ 10.3389/fnut.2025.1699884 .
Neurodegenerative Disorders and the Gut-Microbiome-Brain Axis: A Literature Review / B. J. Dandamudi et al. Cureus. 2025. Vol. 12. P. 1699884. URL: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.72427 .
Oroojzadeh P., Bostanabad S. Y., Lotfi H. Psychobiotics: the Influence of Gut Microbiota on the Gut-Brain Axis in Neurological Disorders. Journal of Molecular Neuroscience. 2022. Vol. 72. P. 1952–1964. URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/ s12031-022-02053-3 .
Ouriaghli, F. H., Elhaty I. A. Major depressive disorder and the microbiome-gut-brain axis. The Ukrainian Biochemical Journal. 2025. Vol. 97, №2. P. 13–30. URL: https://doi.org/10.15407/ubj97.02.013 .
Postbiotics and Psychobiotics / A. Islam et al. Biotics and the Gut–Brain Axis in Neurological Disorders. Boca Raton, 2025. P. 248–258. URL: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003536802-21
Role of antioxidants in modulating the microbiota–gut–brain axis and their impact on neurodegenerative diseases / N. Kurhaluk et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025. Vol. 26, №8. P. 3658. URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijms26083658 .
Role of diet and its effects on the gut microbiome in the pathophysiology of mental disorders / J. Horn et al. Translational Psychiatry. 2022. Vol. 12, №1. URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-022-01922-0 .
Sundaram S., Ponnambath D. K., Nair S. S. Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Neurological Disorders. Human Microbiome. Singapore, 2022. P. 147–167. URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-7672-7_7 .
Sundararaman A., Sethi K., Halami P. Role of Probiotics in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis. Singapore, 2022. P. 355–366. URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-1626-6_17 .
Suresh G., Srivastava S., Singh A. Influence of gut microbiota on axonal cells of the brain. Role of Gut Microbiome in Neurodegenerative Disorders. 2026. P. 257–282. URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-443-29932-2.00004-9 .
Systematic analysis of the relationship between intestinal microbiota and neurological disorders: Emerging perspective in neurogastroenterology / J. A. Cedeño Borrero et al. Sapienza: International Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies. 2024. Vol. 5, №2. P. e24031. URL: https://doi.org/10.51798/sijis.v5i2.758 .
Utilizing the gastrointestinal microbiota to modulate cattle health through the microbiome-gut-organ axes / C. B. Welch et al. Microorganisms. 2022. Vol. 10, №7. P. 1391. URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10071391 .
Zhu F., Tu H., Chen T. The microbiota–gut–brain axis in depression: The potential pathophysiological mechanisms and microbiota combined antidepression effect. Nutrients. 2022. Vol. 14, №10. P. 2081. URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/ nu14102081.





