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Sex Differences in the Gut-Brain Axis: Implications for Mental Health

  • SEX AND GENDER ISSUES IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (CN EPPERSON AND L HANTSOO, SECTION EDITORS)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this article is to highlight how sex differences in the gut-brain axis may contribute to the discrepancies in incidence of neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, and neurodegenerative disorders between females and males. We focus on autism spectrum disorder, psychotic disorders, stress and anxiety disorders, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease and additionally discuss the comorbidity between inflammatory bowel disorder and mental health disorders.

Recent Findings

Human and animal studies show that sex may modify the relationship between the gut or immune system and brain and behavior. Sex also appears to modify the effect of microbial treatments such as probiotics and antibiotics on brain and behavior.

Summary

There is emerging evidence that assessing the role of sex in the gut-brain axis may help elucidate the etiology of and identify effective treatments for neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, and neurodegenerative disorders.

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Acknowledgments

Alexa Curhan Budavari and Katrina M. Rodriguez are supported by the National Institute of Mental Health’s Psychiatric Epidemiology Training Program (5T32MH014592-39; PI: Volk, Heather).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Calliope Holingue, Alexa Curhan Budavari, Katrina M. Rodriguez & M. Daniele Fallin

  2. Department of Neuropsychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Calliope Holingue

  3. Baltimore, USA

    Calliope Holingue

  4. Section on the Neurobiology of Fear and Anxiety, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Corina R. Zisman

  5. Public Health Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA

    Grace Windheim

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  1. Calliope Holingue
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Correspondence to Calliope Holingue.

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Holingue, C., Budavari, A.C., Rodriguez, K.M. et al. Sex Differences in the Gut-Brain Axis: Implications for Mental Health. Curr Psychiatry Rep 22, 83 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-020-01202-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-020-01202-y

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