Editorial: Role of microbiota in neurocognitive disorders: a developmental origin perspective

human mind is now considered as an extension of the microbial ecosystem, shaped by the interaction between the human genome and the microbial metagenome, within the framework of the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD).This research theme entitled "Role of the microbiota in Neurocognitive Disorders: A developmental perspective" brings together 12 review and research articles that collectively map how the microbiota has shaped human evolution and health. The story begins from the earliest stages of life, where the microbiota acts as a key architect shaping the development of the nervous system. Mallick et al. provide in their paper the foundation of this developmental perspective, by examining how early microbial colonization is a prerequisite for neuronal maturation. However, this founding period is fraught with "hidden gateways" to "pathology". In conclusion, these 12 scientific papers not only describe an interconnected biological system, but also highlight a lifelong continuum of vulnerability and resilience. By suggesting that neurocognitive disorders across the lifespan, including both early-life neurodevelopmental conditions and late-life neurodegenerative diseases could partly come from microbial programming during the first 1000 days, this body of work supports a shift towards preventive, predictive and personalized medicine.Collectively, this research topic encourages a reconceptualization of the intestine not only as a peripheral organ of the brain, but as a central biological hub of neurocognitive health.