SeizureBiomeDB: A unified database of gut microbiome alterations in pediatric and adult epilepsy
Zehaan Walji, Parshva Dave, Meherab Ali, Omar Negmeldin, Armaan Kaur Toor, Jane Shearer, Chunlong MuAbstract
Motivation
The gut microbiome plays a critical role in health, immunity, metabolism, and brain function. Growing evidence links it to neurological health via the gut-brain axis. Seizure disorders are associated with distinct microbial changes that vary by epilepsy type and developmental stage, yet data are scattered across numerous published studies. To address this, we developed SeizureBiomeDB, a curated, open-access database that compiles research on gut microbiome alterations in epilepsy across animal models and clinical populations.
Results
A comprehensive manual literature search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and the Web of Science, incorporating studies with case-control designs, animal experiments, and therapeutic interventions. Extracted data included demographics, seizure type, study design, methodology, and key findings related to the microbiome. The database was built using React and PostgreSQL for secure and efficient data management. SeizureBiomeDB integrates findings from over 80 studies covering pediatric, adult, and animal models. It is accessible via a global, searchable web platform. Interactive visualization tools, including an interactive heatmap and bar graphs, enhance data exploration and cross-study comparisons. To aid interpretation, microbial taxonomy (over 240 taxa) and function are linked to resources such as BacDive and MiMeDB. SeizureBiomeDB offers a structured hub to explore gut microbiome shifts across seizure subtypes and taxa levels. With robust filtering, users can easily extract relevant insights, fostering hypothesis generation for therapeutic targets. This platform underscores the significance of a centralized knowledge database in facilitating current advancements in gut microbiome research and epilepsy. Database URL: www.seizurebiomedb.ca.