Microbiome-Gut-Brain Profiles in Schizophrenia and Their Potential Link to Cognitive Performance: Findings from a Case-Control Study
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Increasing evidence indicates the role of microbiome-gut-brain axis in schizophrenia (SZ). However, few studies have examined the potential links among the gut microbiome, brain structure and function, and clinical manifestation in SZ patients, and the effects of prolonged antipsychotic treatment are often neglected.
STUDY DESIGN
A total of 171 participants were enrolled, including 27 drug-naïve first-episode SZ patients (FSZ), 72 chronically antipsychotics-treated SZ patients (CSZ), and 72 healthy controls (HCs). Multi-omics data, including fecal 16S rRNA sequencing, structural and functional brain imaging analyses, and assessments of psychotic symptoms and cognitive function, were obtained to characterize the microbiome-gut-brain axis in SZ patients. Correlation and mediation analyses were conducted to assess the relationships among the gut microbiome, neuroimaging features, and clinical manifestations.
STUDY RESULTS
Compared with HCs, 3 key diagnostic genera were identified in SZ, characterized by decreased abundance of Blautia (FSZ/CSZ CSZ > HCs). This microbial dysbiosis was accompanied by down-regulated bile acids biosynthesis and up-regulated lipid metabolism. Further analyses revealed a tripartite relationship among the key microbial genera, altered brain structure and function, and clinical manifestation in separate SZ subgroups. Importantly, higher abundance of Proteus may result in lower scores on several cognitive domains by disrupting gray matter…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case-control, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 171 participants or records.
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