The emerging role of microbiota derived SCFAs in neurodegenerative disorders

Abstract

The microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA), the bidirectional communication network between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system, plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders. Emerging research highlights how gut microbiota dysbiosis, or an imbalance in the microbial community, is linked to the etiology and pathology of these conditions. Microbiota dysbiosis leads to changes in the production of microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which can cross the intestinal barrier and influence the brain either directly or indirectly. Understanding the mechanisms by which dysfunction in the MGBA contributes to neurodegeneration opens potential avenues for novel therapeutic strategies, including microbiota-targeted interventions. This review introduces the MGBA, discusses the role of SCFAs within the MGBA in the context of neurodegenerative disorders, and suggests future research directions.