Schizophrenia and Microbiota

Schizophrenia is a condition that results in significant mental health disruption, characterised by delusions beliefs, hallucinations, cognitive deficits, and mood disturbances. It is estimated to affect approximately 1 percent of the population. The likely causes and contributing factors associated with schizophrenia include genetics, early development stressors and trauma, substance abuse, poor lifestyle habits, and chronic, high stress. However, another possible cause of schizophrenia may be related to the gut. More specifically, the microbiome (or gut bacteria).

A recent study found that people with schizophrenia have significantly lower numbers of the gut bacterial species, Bifidobacterium spp., Escherichia coli, and Lactobacillus spp. compared to healthy people. Furthermore, people with schizophrenia had higher numbers of another strain, Clostridium coccoides.¹

The researchers then examined the faecal bacteria levels of patients after 24 weeks of treatment with the antipsychotic medication, risperidone. They found significant increases in the numbers of Bifidobacterium spp. and Escherichia coli, and significant decreases in the numbers of Lactobacillus spp. and Clostridium coccoides.

The results of this study suggest that risperidone’s therapeutic effect in people with schizophrenia may be via its influence on gut bacteria and digestive health. There is increasing research demonstrating the bi-directional relationship between the gut and the brain, and the importance of our gut health on both mental and physical wellbeing.

The results of this study may pave the way for future research into the use of specific strains of probiotics for the treatment of schizophrenia either as a stand-alone treatment or as an adjunctive treatment option. In addition, treat gut health through improved diet and better lifestyle practices may be additional option to enhance treatment outcomes in people with schizophrenia.

Reference:
1. Yuan X, Zhang P, Wang Y, Liu Y, Li X, Kumar BU, Hei G, Lv L, Huang XF, Fan X, Song X. Changes in metabolism and microbiota after 24-week risperidone treatment in drug naïve, normal weight patients with first episode schizophrenia. Schizophr Res. 2018 May 30.