Akkermansia muciniphila: A next-generation gut probiotic supporting neurorepair and functional recovery

Abstract The brain–gut axis is a bidirectional signal transduction system between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system that integrates neural, endocrine, and immune functions. In recent years, the role of the intestinal flora in regulating neural function and affecting the progression of different neurological diseases has received increasing attention. Akkermansia muciniphila is a mucindegrading bacterium of the intestinal flora present in the intestinal mucus layer that can regulate host immunity, the intestinal barrier and neuroimmune homeostasis. In recent years, a growing body of literature has suggested that Akkermansia muciniphila may play beneficial roles in nerve injury and regeneration by regulating brain–gut axis signalling. This review comprehensively summarizes the latest research results on the role of Akkermansia muciniphila in neurological diseases such as spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. The mechanisms by which Akkermansia muciniphila regulates inflammatory cytokines, neurotransmitters, and shortchain fatty acids are also highlighted. Various Akkermansia muciniphila-based interventions, such as those involving outer membrane proteins, extracellular vesicles, and pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila, are discussed, and their therapeutic potential in restoring intestinal homeostasis, alleviating neuroinflammation, and supporting neuronal repair is explored. Although promising results from animal models have been reported, significant challenges remain in translating these findings into clinical practice and therapeutic applications. The differences in Akkermansia muciniphila colonization efficiency, host responses, and intervention strategies in different disease states limit the results of these studies. In addition, Akkermansia muciniphila may exhibit different mechanisms of action in acute and chronic neurodegenerative diseases, and thus more targeted mechanistic studies are needed. Despite these limitations, Akkermansia muciniphila represents a novel and potent pathway for the modulation of the brain–gut axis to support neural repair and functional recovery. By enhancing intestinal barrier integrity and regulating neuroimmunity, Akkermansia muciniphila has broad prospects as a microbial candidate for the treatment of central nervous system diseases. Future research should focus on optimizing the administration method and clinical trials to verify its efficacy, ultimately providing new treatment options in the field of neural regeneration and microbial therapy.