Moody microbes or fecal phrenology: what do we know about the microbiota-gut-brain axis?

IntroductionThe microbiota-gut-brain axis is a term that is commonly used and covers a broad set of functions and interactions between the gut microbiome, endocrine, immune and nervous systems and the brain. The field is not much more than a decade old and so large holes exist in our knowledge.DiscussionAt first sight it appears gut microbes are largely responsible for the development, maturation and adult function of the enteric nervous system …