Janine Faraj1, Varun Takanti1, Hamid R Tavakoli1. 1. is a General Medical Officer at Naval Surface Forces Atlantic, Medical Readiness Division, Norfolk, Virginia. is a Resident Physician in the Department of Anesthesiology at Rush University Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. is the head of Psychiatry Consultation-Liaison Services at the Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Virginia.
Abstract
IMPORTANCE: Literature exploring the relationship between the intestinal microbiome and its effects on general health and well-being has grown significantly in recent years, and our knowledge of this subject continues to grow. Mounting evidence indicates that the intestinal microbiome is a potential target for therapeutic intervention in psychiatric illness and in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer disease. It is reasonable to consider modulating not just a patient's neurochemistry, behavior, or cognitive habits, but also their intestinal microbiome in an effort to improve psychiatric symptoms. OBSERVATIONS: In this review paper, we show that intestinal microbiota possess the ability to directly influence both physical and mental well-being; therefore, should be included in future discussions regarding psychiatric treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians are encouraged to consider patients' gut health when evaluating and treating psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety and depression. Optimization and diversification of gut flora through the use of psychobiotics-probiotics that confer mental health benefits-may soon become standard practice in conjunction with traditional psychiatric treatment modalities such as pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy.
IMPORTANCE: Literature exploring the relationship between the intestinal microbiome and its effects on general health and well-being has grown significantly in recent years, and our knowledge of this subject continues to grow. Mounting evidence indicates that the intestinal microbiome is a potential target for therapeutic intervention in psychiatric illness and in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer disease. It is reasonable to consider modulating not just a patient's neurochemistry, behavior, or cognitive habits, but also their intestinal microbiome in an effort to improve psychiatric symptoms. OBSERVATIONS: In this review paper, we show that intestinal microbiota possess the ability to directly influence both physical and mental well-being; therefore, should be included in future discussions regarding psychiatric treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians are encouraged to consider patients' gut health when evaluating and treating psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety and depression. Optimization and diversification of gut flora through the use of psychobiotics-probiotics that confer mental health benefits-may soon become standard practice in conjunction with traditional psychiatric treatment modalities such as pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy.
Authors: A Sequeira; T Klempan; L Canetti; J ffrench-Mullen; C Benkelfat; G A Rouleau; G Turecki Journal: Mol Psychiatry Date: 2007-03-13 Impact factor: 15.992
Authors: W W IsHak; J Mirocha; D James; G Tobia; J Vilhauer; H Fakhry; S Pi; E Hanson; R Nashawati; E D Peselow; R M Cohen Journal: Acta Psychiatr Scand Date: 2014-06-23 Impact factor: 6.392
Authors: Marcel van de Wouw; Marcus Boehme; Joshua M Lyte; Niamh Wiley; Conall Strain; Orla O'Sullivan; Gerard Clarke; Catherine Stanton; Timothy G Dinan; John F Cryan Journal: J Physiol Date: 2018-08-28 Impact factor: 5.182
Authors: Ziad Nahas; Lauren B Marangell; Mustafa M Husain; A John Rush; Harold A Sackeim; Sarah H Lisanby; James M Martinez; Mark S George Journal: J Clin Psychiatry Date: 2005-09 Impact factor: 4.384
Authors: Lisa E Goehler; Ronald P A Gaykema; Noel Opitz; Rebecca Reddaway; Nadia Badr; Mark Lyte Journal: Brain Behav Immun Date: 2005-07 Impact factor: 7.217
Authors: R F Slykerman; F Hood; K Wickens; J M D Thompson; C Barthow; R Murphy; J Kang; J Rowden; P Stone; J Crane; T Stanley; P Abels; G Purdie; R Maude; E A Mitchell Journal: EBioMedicine Date: 2017-09-14 Impact factor: 8.143