The History of the Intestinal Microbiota and the Gut-Brain Axis

Abstract

The gut-brain axis and the intestinal microbiota have been an area of an intensive research in the last few years. However, it is not a completely novel area of interest for physicians and scientists. From the earliest centuries, both professionals and patients turned their attention to the gastrointestinal system in order to find the root of physical and mental disturbances. The approach to the gut-brain axis and the therapeutic methods have changed alongside the development of different medical approaches to health and illness. They often reflected the social changes. The authors of this article aim to provide a brief history of the gut-brain axis and the intestinal microbiota in order to demonstrate how important the study of these systems is for both scientists and medical professionals, as well as for the general public. We analysed the publications accessible through PubMed regarding the microbiota and gut-brain axis history. If available, we accessed the original historical sources. We conclude that although the history of this science might be long, there are still many areas that need to be researched, analysed, and understood in future projects. The interest in the subject is not diminishing, but rather it has increased throughout the years.

Keywords: gut-brain axis; history of medicine; microbiota.

Figure 1

The number of articles published on microbiota history or microbiome history or gut-brain axis history. Graph created with Canva tool.

Figure 2

Illustrations to Leeuwenhoek’s Letter on the animalcules. Dobell C (1960) Antony van Leeuwenhoek and his “little animals”. Dover Publications, New York (Public Domain).

Figure 3

A British satirical drawing, published in response to the Edenton female tea boycott. Dawe P (1774). A society of patriotic ladies, at Edenton in North Carolina. R. Sayer & J. Bennett, London (Public Domain).

Figure 4

Mr. Stomach, the main character from “Memoirs of a Stomach” (Public Domain).

Figure 5

The satirical drawing of Elie Metchnikoff, depicting his attitude to probiotics as panacea. Moloch H (1910). Le Professeur Metchnikoff. Revue Chanteclair, Paris (Public Domain).