Explains the concept of the gut-brain axis, and its implications for health and disease. Describes how microbes and their metabolites communicate with the body and the brain. Explains how the microbiome-gut-brain axis influences the development of neurodegenerative, neuropsychiatric, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Describes how microbial metabolites regulate immune and metabolic pathways in the body, and how this may impact risk of allergies, autoimmune diseases, obesity and diabetes. Explains how the ecology of the oral microbiome impacts both gut and systemic health; discusses implications for modern-day oral healthcare. Lists potential microbial and gut health disruptors, as well as therapeutic strategies to improve gut and brain health (to become “ecosystem engineers”). Describes ways in which the highly complex gut-brain scientific research has been oversold and misinterpreted by the lay press. Identifies red flags of “pseudoscience” to become a healthy skeptic. Describes how the information in this course can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes.

Describes components of the immune system and principles of normal immune function. Reviews the clinical features of common autoimmune, allergic and inflammatory conditions. Explains potential immune factors that may contribute to depression and other psychiatric disorders. Describes the link between poor oral health and immune dysfunction. Lists the dietary, pharmacologic, and lifestyle changes that may help balance immune function. Describes how the information in this course can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes. Describes, for this course, the implications for dentistry, mental health, nursing, and other healthcare professions.

Describes how the brain produces behavior and how learned patterns of behavior become a personality. Lists the personality disorders and explain how they disrupt relationships. Discusses how to diagnose and treat the major anxiety disorders, including dental anxiety, and outline the effects of early life stress, medical disorders, and medications on anxiety. Describes the characteristics of posttraumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder and explains why they are no longer grouped with anxiety disorders. Outlines the diagnostic criteria, course, and many treatment options for major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Describes how the information in this course can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes. Describes for this course, the implications for nursing, dentistry, mental health, and other health professions.