Unlocking the microbiome: The gut–brain axis in neurological disorders

In contemporary biomedical research, the gut microbiome has emerged as a pivotal determinant of neurological integrity, profoundly redefining our understanding of brain-body interplay.The gut-brain axis, an intricate and bidirectional communication network linking the gastrointestinal milieu with the central nervous system, operates through an elaborate convergence of neural, immunological, endocrine, and metabolic pathways.This dynamic interface enables gut-resident microorganisms to modulate brain function, behavior, and disease susceptibility.A growing body of evidence from 2020 to 2026 underscores that perturbations in microbial homeostasis are intricately associated with neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). MECHANISTIC UNDERPINNINGS OF THE GUT-BRAIN AXISRecent advances have elucidated several mechanistic pathways through which the gut microbiome exerts its neuromodulatory effects.Among these, microbial-derived metabolites have garnered particular attention.