Gut microbiota-derived extracellular vesicles: Exploring the pathogenesis and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.

The gut microbiome is connected to the pathogenesis of various neuropsychiatric disorders, including cognitive impairment and depression. The gut microbiota can act on the brain through multiple pathways along the gut-brain axis. However, the specific mechanisms are unclear. Bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs), bacteria-derived membrane-bound vesicles that can carry a variety of bioactive substances and cross various barriers in the host, are used by bacteria to communicate and interact with the host. Recent studies have shown that BEVs from the gut microbiota are involved in gut-brain communication and may play a role in the pathogenesis and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. This review provides an overview of the biogenesis, structure, and function of BEVs and emphasizes their role in the development and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.