Microbiota and sleep: awakening the gut feeling

Environmental and lifestyle factors influence sleep via the microbiota–gut–brain axis. Recent studies demonstrate microbial metabolites, the serotonergic system, the vagus nerve, and immune reactions as modes of communication via the microbiota–gut–brain axis that regulate sleep. Changes in gut microbiota composition accompany several sleep disorders and pathologies with comorbid sleep disturbances. Recent studies present evidence that sleep quality can be improved by altering the gut microbiota by consumption of certain probiotics and prebiotics as well as via faecal microbiota transplant. Various lifestyle and environmental factors are known to influence sleep. Increasingly, evidence points to a role for the microbiota in regulating brain and behaviour. This article explores how the microbiota–gut–brain axis affects sleep directly and indirectly. We summarize the possible molecular mechanisms underlying sleep–microbiome interactions and discuss how various factors interact with the gut microbiota to influence sleep. Furthermore, we present the current evidence of alterations of the microbiota–gut–brain axis in various sleep disorders and pathologies where comorbid sleep disturbances are common. Since manipulating the gut microbiota could potentially improve sleep, we outline ways in which this can be achieved. Various lifestyle and environmental factors are known to influence sleep. Increasingly, evidence points to a role for the microbiota in regulating brain and behaviour. This article explores how the microbiota–gut–brain axis affects sleep directly and indirectly. We summarize the possible molecular mechanisms underlying sleep–microbiome interactions and discuss how various factors interact with the gut microbiota to influence sleep. Furthermore, we present the current evidence of alterations of the microbiota–gut–brain axis in various sleep disorders and pathologies where comorbid sleep disturbances are common. Since manipulating the gut microbiota could potentially improve sleep, we outline ways in which this can be achieved. a measure of similarity of two microbiota communities. the process of transferring faecal bacteria and other microbes from one organism to another. all genes of the microbiome and the genes of the host together make up the hologenome. common functional gastrointestinal disorder characterised by abdominal pain, bloating, and defecation problems, including constipation and diarrhoea or a mix of both. microorganisms found in a certain environment. collection of genomes from the microorganisms in a certain environment. disease characterised by daytime sleepiness that is accompanied by abnormalities in REM sleep, such as cataplexy or REM sleep behaviour disorder. a deep sleep state characterized by nonrapid eye movement. sleep-related disorder where patients suffer from breathing interruptions during sleep due to the collapse of the upper respiratory tract, resulting in sleep disturbances. nondigestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in the colon and thus improve host health. live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. a dream-like sleep state characterized by rapid eye movement.