Here we explore the fecal microbiota of 90 drug-free schizophrenia patients and 81 controls. We find that schizophrenia patients have increased bacterial translocation due to intestinal permeability and innate immune system imbalances as well as intestinal inflammation. New evidence indicates that metabolic disorders in schizophrenia are not only comorbidities but also influence pathogenesis, symptom manifestation, cognitive function, and disruption of cerebral white matter.
Manipulation of gut microbes may have dual therapy potential for both metabolic disorders and schizophrenia. Schizophrenic patients have also been shown to have altered SCFA synthesis, trp metabolism, and neurotransmitter synthesis/degradation. Transplantation of a bacterium characteristic of schizophrenia patients (Streptococcus vestibularis) appears to induce deficits in social behavior and alters neurotransmitter levels in peripheral tissues of recipient mice.
Year: 2020
Nationality: China