Skip to main content
About the Institute
  • English
  • Français
  • Español
  • Russian

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Microbiota and child health
  3. Gut-brain axis and ADHD in adolescents
  • Our publications
    • News
    • Microbiota Mag
    • Thematic pages
    • Experts' point of view
    • Thematic folders
    • Overviews - Microbiota Magazine
  • About the Institute
    • About us
    • International Microbiota Observatory
    • Press room
    • Partnerships
  • Congresses
    • Congress calendar
    • Congress reviews
  • Continuing Medical Education
    • Accrediting courses
  • Useful documents
    • How to talk about
    • Infographics
    • IBS Diagnosis Check List
    • Patients Stories

    Join the microbiota community

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • Bluesky

Lay public section

Find here your dedicated section
Gastroenterology
Gynecology
Pediatrics
General Medicine

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Microbiota and child health
  3. Gut-brain axis and ADHD in adolescents
Pediatrics

Gut-brain axis and ADHD in adolescents

ADHD
Pediatrics

Some harmful systemic changes linked to intestinal dysbioses could present themselves in the form of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Dopamine precursors synthesized in the intestine could reach the central nervous system (CNS) and heighten the risk of developing this type of pathology

Gastroenterology
Gynecology
Pediatrics
General Medicine
  • Our publications
    • News
    • Microbiota Mag
    • Thematic pages
    • Experts' point of view
    • Thematic folders
    • Overviews - Microbiota Magazine
  • About the Institute
    • About us
    • International Microbiota Observatory
    • Press room
    • Partnerships
  • Congresses
    • Congress calendar
    • Congress reviews
  • Continuing Medical Education
    • Accrediting courses
  • Useful documents
    • How to talk about
    • Infographics
    • IBS Diagnosis Check List
    • Patients Stories

    Join the microbiota community

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • Bluesky

Lay public section

Find here your dedicated section

Sources

This article is based on scientific information

Sharing is caring

Your colleagues might be interested in this topic. Why not share it?

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail

Sections

About this article

Created 21 October 2019
Updated 22 July 2024

IMPAIRED NEUROTRANSMISSION

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is another class of neuropathies possibly involving the human microbiota. It is associated with abnormal dopamine neurotransmission and reward processing deficits via the underlying neural circuits, in particular in the ventral striatum. The microbiota could contribute to these changes through the gut-brain axis.10 The hypothesis was explored through characterization of the intestinal microbiota of adolescents and young adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, in addition to an analysis of cerebral responses to emotional stimulation.12

Image
Gut-brain-axis-infographie-1

HIGHER LEVELS OF DOPAMINE PRECURSOR

Analysis of the intestinal microbiota by 16S rRNA sequencing has provided an identification of the bacterial populations in adolescents with ADHD. Functional imaging was used to compare the intestinal microbial populations and cerebral responses to stimulation of reward processes in some participants, independently of the initial diagnosis. Characterization of the microbiota revealed changes, in particular an increase in Bifidobacterium in ADHD subjects. These bacteria, which are predominant in their intestines, possess a gene encoding cyclohexadienyl dehydratase, an enzyme involved in the synthesis of phenylalanine, a dopamine precursor capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier. Consequence: an increase in brain dopamine levels leading to an increased risk of neurological disruption.

GUT-BRAIN AXIS

  • The intestinal microbiota is involved in the communication between gut and brain through many compounds and various pathways.
  • Its role in the maturation of the neuroendocrine axis that controls stress and regulates emotions has been clearly established.
  • Several studies suggest that dysbioses could contribute to the pathophysiology of CNS diseases such as anxiety and depression disorders, autism spectrum disorders and some neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, MS).
[Source] : Nogacka AM, Salazar N, Arboleya S, et al. Early microbiota, antibiotics and health. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2018;75(1):83-91.

MOTIVATIONAL DEFICIT

This increased production of monoamines driven by the intestinal microbiota is correlated with a decrease in neural mechanisms of reward anticipation in the ventral striatum, another ADHD marker. This link was confirmed by imaging: subjects presenting with intestinal dysbiosis displayed “intolerance to delayed reward” (inability to tolerate deferral of a reward), considered by many experts to be the fundamental mechanism of the pathology. The intestinal microbiota thus seems to be a new factor in the etiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as its composition has a direct impact on the synthesis of cyclohexadienyl dehydratase. Whilst the possibility of dysbiosis linked to ADHD is not excluded, further investigations are required to specify the level of interactions, as well as the functional effects of microbiota on psychiatric disorders in general (OCD, phobias, anxiety disorders…).

Sources

10 The gut-brain axis includes the means used by the intestine to communicate with the brain (especially the NCS), and conversely

11 Cerdó T, Ruíz A, Suárez A, et al. Probiotic, Prebiotic, and Brain Development. Nutrients. 2017;9(11):1247.

12 Aarts E, Ederveen THA, Naaijen J, et al. Gut microbiome in ADHD and its relation to neural reward anticipation. PLoS One. 2017;12(9):e0183509.

Old sources

 

 

Tags
Gut-brain axis Dysbiosis Probiotics Prebiotics ADHD Dopamine Microbiome Flora
    Focus
    Microbiota and child health
    • Impact of antibiotics
      • Antibiotics, child microbiota and long-term health effects
      • Focus on the risks of excess weight and obesity
      • Zoom on the risks of IBD
    • Behavioral disorders
      • The role of oral and intestinal microbiota and mycobiome in autism
      • Gut-brain axis and ADHD in adolescents
    • Respiratory diseases
      • Respiratory microbiota and pulmonary infections associated with cystic fibrosis
      • Nasal microbiota: a reliable marker of bronchiolitis severity
    • Gastrointestinal disorders
      • Infectious diarrhea and intestinal microbiota
      • Is intestinal dysbiosis the cause of persistent diarrhea?
    • Expert opinion
      • Pr. Olivier Goulet : Gastrointestinal disorders in children, the need to act
    Created 21 October 2019
    Updated 22 July 2024

    About this article

    To know more about this topic.

    Main topic

    ADHD

    Medical practice

    Pediatrics

    Content type

    Dossier detail
    The role of oral and intestinal microbiota and mycobiome in autism
    Respiratory microbiota and pulmonary infections associated with cystic fibrosis
    Focus

    Microbiota and child health

    Impact of antibiotics

    Antibiotics, child microbiota and long-term health effects Focus on the risks of excess weight and obesity Zoom on the risks of IBD

    Behavioral disorders

    The role of oral and intestinal microbiota and mycobiome in autism Gut-brain axis and ADHD in adolescents

    Respiratory diseases

    Respiratory microbiota and pulmonary infections associated with cystic fibrosis Nasal microbiota: a reliable marker of bronchiolitis severity

    Gastrointestinal disorders

    Infectious diarrhea and intestinal microbiota Is intestinal dysbiosis the cause of persistent diarrhea?

    Expert opinion

    Pr. Olivier Goulet : Gastrointestinal disorders in children, the need to act
    Pediatrics
    Actu PRO : Malnutrition : agir sur le microbiote pour améliorer la croissance, un prototype à l’essai
    08.07.2021

    Malnutrition: acting on the microbiota in order to improve growth, a trial prototype

    Read the article
    22.11.2023

    Is vaginal microbiota transfer the new miracle for C-section babies?

    Read the article
    04.03.2022

    Antibiotics and cesarean delivery: how do they affect the newborn microbiota?

    Read the article
    Everything you need to know about Microbiota & Immunity
    15.09.2022

    Everything you need to know about Microbiota & Immunity

    Read the article
    Everything you need to know about Microbiota & Dysbiosis
    27.07.2022

    Everything you need to know about Dysbiosis

    Read the article
    11.03.2022

    When an infant’s sleep hinges on a few bacteria

    Read the article
    03.07.2024

    Gut dysbiosis in men: what are the consequences for their children?

    Read the article
    Photo: Atténuer la dénutrition avec des biotiques ?
    26.04.2023

    Mitigating malnutrition with biotics?

    Read the article
    • Our publications
      • News
      • Microbiota Mag
      • Thematic pages
      • Experts' point of view
      • Thematic folders
      • Overviews - Microbiota Magazine
    • About the Institute
      • About us
      • International Microbiota Observatory
      • Press room
      • Partnerships
    • Congresses
      • Congress calendar
      • Congress reviews
    • Continuing Medical Education
      • Accrediting courses
    • Useful documents
      • How to talk about
      • Infographics
      • IBS Diagnosis Check List
      • Patients Stories

      Join the microbiota community

      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • LinkedIn
      • YouTube
      • Instagram
      • Bluesky

    Lay public section

    Find here your dedicated section
    Gastroenterology
    Gynecology
    Pediatrics
    General Medicine
    • English
    • Français
    • Español
    • Russian

    Browse the site

    • Our publications
      • News
      • Microbiota Mag
      • Thematic pages
      • Experts' point of view
      • Thematic folders
      • Overviews - Microbiota Magazine
    • About the Institute
      • About us
      • International Microbiota Observatory
      • Press room
      • Partnerships
    • Congresses
      • Congress calendar
      • Congress reviews
    • Continuing Medical Education
      • Accrediting courses
    • Useful documents
      • How to talk about
      • Infographics
      • IBS Diagnosis Check List
      • Patients Stories

      Join the microbiota community

      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • LinkedIn
      • YouTube
      • Instagram
      • Bluesky

    Lay public section

    Find here your dedicated section

    Discover

    Gastroenterology
    Gynecology
    Pediatrics
    General Medicine

    Join the microbiota community

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • Bluesky

    Lay public section

    Find here your dedicated section

    Redirection

    You are about to be redirected and leave our website

    • Be redirected
    • Stay on the Biocodex Microbiota Institute's website

    Stay with us !

    Join the Microbiota Community of HCPs and researchers and receive “Microbiota Digest” and "Microbiota Mag" to stay up to date on the latest news about microbiota.

    * Mandatory Fields

    BMI 20-35

    Explore

    14.05.2025

    Towards worldwide redefinition of healthy vaginal microbiota

    Read the article
    07.05.2025

    The microbial-metabolic nexus in colon cancer

    Read the article
    02.05.2025

    A new lens on chlamydia: beyond behavior, into the microbiome

    Read the article

    Stay updated

    Join the Microbiota Community of HCPs and researchers and receive “Microbiota Digest” and "Microbiota Mag" to stay up to date on the latest news about microbiota.

    * Mandatory Fields

    BMI 20-35

    • Our publications
      • News
      • Microbiota Mag
      • Thematic pages
      • Experts' point of view
      • Thematic folders
      • Overviews - Microbiota Magazine
    • About the Institute
      • About us
      • International Microbiota Observatory
      • Press room
      • Partnerships
    • Congresses
      • Congress calendar
      • Congress reviews
    • Continuing Medical Education
      • Accrediting courses
    • Useful documents
      • How to talk about
      • Infographics
      • IBS Diagnosis Check List
      • Patients Stories

      Join the microbiota community

      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • LinkedIn
      • YouTube
      • Instagram
      • Bluesky

    Lay public section

    Find here your dedicated section

    Discover

    Gastroenterology
    Gynecology
    Pediatrics
    General Medicine

    Lay public section

    Find here your dedicated section

    Join the microbiota community

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • Bluesky

    © 2025 Biocodex. All rights reserved.

    • Legal notice
    • GTU
    • Data protection policy
    • Sitemap
    • Cookies settings
    • Digital accessibility : partially compliant
    Biocodex logo