Gut dysbiosis as a driver of neuroinflammation in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A review of current evidence

Naomi Lewis; Anthony Villani; Jim Lagopoulos

doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.01.031

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Gut dysbiosis as a driver of neuroinflammation in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A review of current evidence

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Gut dysbiosis as a driver of neuroinflammation in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A review of current evidence

Naomi Lewis, Anthony Villani and Jim Lagopoulos

Neuroscience, Vol.569, pp.298-321

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.01.031

PMID: 39848564

Appears in Thompson Institute Research Collection

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Abstract

Oxidative Stress

Gut-Brain Axis

Neuroinflammation

Inflammation

Gut Microbiome

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Dysbiosis

Thompson Institute Special Collection

Molecular Biology

UniSC Diversity Area - Disability and Inclusion

There is mounting evidence for the involvement of the immune system, neuroinflammation and disturbed gut microbiota, or dysbiosis, in attentive-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Gut dysbiosis is strongly implicated in many physical, autoimmune, neurological, and neuropsychiatric conditions, however knowledge of its particular pathogenic role in ADHD is sparse. As such, this narrative review examines and synthesizes the available evidence related to inflammation, dysbiosis, and neural processes in ADHD. Minimal differences in microbiota diversity measures between cases and controls were found, however many relative abundance differences were observed at all classification levels (phylum to strain). Compositional differences of taxa important to key gut-brain axis pathways, in particular Bacteroides species and Faecalibacterium, may contribute to inflammation, brain functioning differences, and symptoms, in ADHD. We have identified one possible model of ADHD etiopathogenesis involving systemic inflammation, an impaired blood-brain barrier, and neural disturbances as downstream consequences of gut dysbiosis. Nevertheless, studies conducted to date have varied degrees of methodological rigour and involve diverse participant characteristics and analytical techniques, highlighting a need for additional research.

Details

Title: Gut dysbiosis as a driver of neuroinflammation in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A review of current evidence
Authors: Naomi Lewis (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Psychology
Anthony Villani - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Nutrition & Dietetics
Jim Lagopoulos - Thompson Brain and Mind Healthcare (Australia)
Publication details: Neuroscience, Vol.569, pp.298-321
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Date published: 2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.01.031
ISSN: 1873-7544
PMID: 39848564
Data Availability: Data will be made available on request.
Organisation Unit: Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Health - Nutrition & Dietetics; Thompson Institute; School of Health - Psychology
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991096231802621
Output Type: Journal article

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