Exploring the intersection of the microbiome and the developing brain: Impacts on schizophrenia risk

Recent findings show that the perinatal maternal and infant microbiomes have profound potential to impact long term health outcomes. Of particular interest are the ways in which the microbiome influences the developing brain during one of its most critical windows. Schizophrenia and psychosis risk are strongly connected to disruptions in perinatal neurodevelopment. In this review we present an overview of critical aspects in development of both the microbiome and brain, discuss their overlap, and consider what role the microbiome plays in schizophrenia risk during the perinatal window. Considering this, we discuss ways in which expecting and new mothers may reduce offspring schizophrenia risk.