腸内フローラと精神疾患—特に気分障害，自閉スペクトラム症について

Intestinal Flora and Mental Disorders: A Focus on Mood Disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorder

腸内フローラはストレス応答や腸のバリア機能において重要な役割を果たし，これらは脳-腸相関を通じて精神疾患の病態に密接に関与する。気分障害や自閉スペクトラム症のデータも蓄積され，短鎖脂肪酸を産生する菌や代謝関連の菌との関連が指摘されている。プロバイオティクスの有用性を示唆する臨床試験も報告されてきており，精神疾患の病態解明や治療法開発において腸内フローラ研究は今後ますます発展することが期待される。

Abstract

The intestinal flora plays a key role in the stress response and barrier function of the gut, both of which are closely associated with the pathophysiology of mental health conditions, such as mood disorders and autistic spectrum disorder through the phenomenon of brain-gut interaction. Despite increasing accumulation of empirical data regarding the contribution of the gut microbiota to these disorders, studies have reported inconsistent results. Notably, short chain fatty acid-producing bacteria and those implicated in the pathophysiology of metabolic diseases appear to be associated with the psychiatric conditions. Clinical trials have shown some evidence to suggest the beneficial effects of probiotics in depressive and neurodevelopmental disorders. Limited studies have discussed this subject; however, the role of the intestinal flora in the pathophysiology and treatment of mental disorders appears to be a promising field of research.