In recent years increasing evidence suggests that commensal microbiota
may play an important role in health and disease, including
cerebrovascular disease. Gut microbes impact physiology, at least in
part by metabolizing dietary factors and also host-derived substrates
and then generating active compounds including toxins. The purpose of
the current review is to highlight the complex interplay between
microbiota, their metabolites and essential functions for human health
ranging from regulation of the metabolism and the immune system to
modulation of brain development and function. We also discuss the role
of gut dysbiosis in cerebrovascular disease, specifically in acute and
chronic stroke phases and the possible implication of intestinal
microbiota in post-stroke cognitive impairment and dementia, and we
identify potential therapeutic opportunities of targeting microbiota in
this context.