Stroke and the gut microbiome: chronic gut dysbiosis in experimental stroke

2 Apr 2020

Written by Allison L Brichacek & Candice M Brown (West Virginia University)

Inflammation, immunology and immune disorders Injury, trauma and infection Opinion Stroke

This is an image depicting the gut microbiome in the gastrointestinal tract.

Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide, which results in a significant socioeconomic burden for stroke survivors and their families. The global burden continues to increase, with a rapid rise among developing nations. Ischemic strokes comprise ~85% of all strokes, while the remainder are hemorrhagic strokes [1,2]. Ischemic stroke results in a substantial systemic proinflammatory response that may promote the onset or exacerbate pre-existing inflammation in local tissues [3]. Pre-existing systemic inflammation plays an important role in stroke outcome and functional recovery; conversely, stroke also generates systemic inflammatory responses that impact multiple peripheral organ systems. One of...