The gut–brain axis: The role of melatonin in linking psychiatric, inflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions

Anderson, George M.; Maes, Michaël

doi:10.1016/j.aimed.2014.12.007

Cited by 42 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 109 publications

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Section: Neurotransmittersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Perhaps the most obvious association between GM and psychological illnesses is the ability of GM to manipulate the production and action of several key neurotransmitters (e.g., Anderson & Maes, ; Lyte, ; O'Mahony, Clarke, Borre, Dinan, & Cryan, ). GM regulate the metabolism and concentration of amino acids which serve as precursors for several neurotransmitters including gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine, among others (Clarke et al, ; Evrensel & Ceylan, ; Jenkins, Nguyen, Polglaze, & Bertrand, ; Zagajewski et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is exacerbated given that current medical models are heavily skewed toward treatment over prevention (Singh, 2010). While there is disagreement over whether the occurrence of common mental disorders are increasing or whether their prevalence remains consistent (Friedrich, 2017;Harvey et al, 2017), the consumption of antidepressant drugs doubled in most, if not all, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries between and 2015(OECD, 2017. Despite this, depression has recently taken over as the leading cause of disability worldwide with anxiety also in the top 10 leading causes of disability (World Health Organisation (WHO) 2017).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The role of the brain–gut–microbiota axis in psychology: The importance of considering gut microbiota in the development, perpetuation, and treatment of psychological disorders

Ganci

Suleyman

Butt³

et al. 2019

Brain and Behavior

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IntroductionThe prevalence of psychological disorders remains stable despite steady increases in pharmacological treatments suggesting the need for auxiliary treatment options. Consideration of the brain–gut–microbiota axis (BGMA) has made inroads into reconceptualizing psychological illness from a more holistic perspective. While our understanding of the precise role of gut microbiota (GM) in psychological illness is in its infancy, it represents an attractive target for novel interventions.MethodAn extensive review of relevant literature was undertaken.ResultsGut microbiota are proposed to directly and indirectly influence mood, cognition, and behavior which are key components of mental health. This paper outlines how GM may be implicated in psychological disorders from etiology through to treatment and prevention using the Four P model of case formulation.ConclusionMoving forward, integration of GM into the conceptualization and treatment of psychological illness will require the discipline of psychology to undergo a significant paradigm shift. While the importance of the GM in psychological well‐being must be respected, it is not proposed to be a panacea, but instead, an additional arm to a multidisciplinary approach to treatment and prevention.

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Section: Neurotransmittersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The role of the brain–gut–microbiota axis in psychology: The importance of considering gut microbiota in the development, perpetuation, and treatment of psychological disorders

Ganci

Suleyman

Butt³

et al. 2019

Brain and Behavior

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“…as well as being a significant immune [89] and mitochondrial [90] [98]. Given the beneficial effects of melatonin against oxidative stress [99], mitochondrial functioning [32], infections [100], gut microbiota/permeability [29] and diaphragm muscle fatigue [101], which are all suspected to contribute to SIDS pathophysiology , it requires investigation as to whether the efficacy of breastfeeding is mediated, to some degree, by melatonin. If so, this could suggest that the addition of melatonin to the night-time formula feed would lower SIDS cases, as may its administration to the mother following cesarean section.…”

Section: Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Breast Feeding and Melatonin: Implications for Improving Perinatal Health

Anderson¹,

Vaillancourt²,

Maes

et al. 2016

JBFB

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The biological underpinnings that drive the plethora of breastfeeding benefits over formula-feeding is an area of intense research, given the cognitive and emotional benefits as well as the offsetting of many childhood- and adult-onset medical conditions that breast-feeding provides. In this article, we review the research on the role of melatonin in driving some of these breastfeeding benefits. Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive as well as optimizing mitochondrial function. Melatonin is produced by the placenta and, upon parturition, maternal melatonin is passed to the infant upon breastfeeding with higher levels in night-time breast milk. As such, some of the benefits of breastfeeding may be mediated by the higher levels of maternal circulating night-time melatonin, allowing for circadian and antioxidant effects, as well as promoting the immune and mitochondrial regulatory aspects of melatonin; these actions may positively modulate infant development. Herein, it is proposed that some of the benefits of breastfeeding may be mediated by melatonin's regulation of the infant's gut microbiota and immune responses. As such, melatonin is likely to contribute to the early developmental processes that affect the susceptibility to a range of adult onset conditions. Early research on animal models has shown promising results for the regulatory role of melatonin.

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“…As well as being highly produced in the gut, melatonin acts to maintain gut-barrier integrity, including when this is challenged by stress and dietary factors (37). One species of intestinal bacteria, Enterobacter aerogenes, significantly increases its swarming behavior to melatonin (38), indicating that the high levels of melatonin release in the gut following a meal are intimately linked to the interactions of the microbiome with the host.…”

Section: Melatonergic Pathwaysmentioning

confidence: 99%

Breastfeeding and the gut-brain axis: is there a role for melatonin?

Anderson¹,

Vaillancourt²,

Maes

et al. 2017

Biomolecular Concepts

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The benefits of breastfeeding over formula feed are widely appreciated. However, for many mothers breastfeeding is not possible, highlighting the need for a significant improvement in the contents of formula feed. In this article, the overlooked role of melatonin and the melatonergic pathways in breast milk and in the regulation of wider breast milk components are reviewed. There is a growing appreciation that the benefits of breastfeeding are mediated by its effects in the infant gut, with consequences for the development of the gut-brain axis and the immune system. The melatonergic pathways are intimately associated with highly researched processes in the gut, gut microbiome and gut-brain axis. As the melatonergic pathways are dependent on the levels of serotonin availability as a necessary precursor, decreased melatonin is linked to depression and depression-associated disorders. The association of breastfeeding and the gut-brain axis with a host of medical conditions may be mediated by their regulation of processes that modulate depression susceptibility. The biological underpinnings of depression include increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, kynurenine pathway activity and dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis, all of which can decrease melatonergic pathway activity. The inclusion of the melatonergic pathways in the biological interactions of breast milk and gut development has significant theoretical and treatment implications, as well as being important to the prevention of a host of infant-, child-and adult-onset medical conditions.

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The gut–brain axis: The role of melatonin in linking psychiatric, inflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions

Cited by 42 publications

References 109 publications

The role of the brain–gut–microbiota axis in psychology: The importance of considering gut microbiota in the development, perpetuation, and treatment of psychological disorders

The role of the brain–gut–microbiota axis in psychology: The importance of considering gut microbiota in the development, perpetuation, and treatment of psychological disorders

Breast Feeding and Melatonin: Implications for Improving Perinatal Health

Breastfeeding and the gut-brain axis: is there a role for melatonin?

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