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Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·July 16, 2019·3 min read

Gut microbes protect against neurologic damage from viral infections

A healthy and diverse microbiome is essential for quickly clearing viral infections in the nervous system to prevent risks associated with multiple sclerosis. Mice with lower gut bacteria had weaker immune responses and were unable to eliminate viruses, leading to worsening paralysis. Those treated with antibiotics before infection had fewer microglia.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·October 10, 2019·3 min read

Compound in breast milk fights harmful bacteria

Glycerol monolaurate (GML), a compound found in human breast milk, fights against the effects of harmful bacteria while allowing beneficial bacteria to thrive. GML also inhibits inflammation in epithelial cells, helping to prevent both bacterial and viral infections of the gut. GML is 200 times higher in human breast milk than cow milk. Researchers propose adding GML to infant formula and cow milk given to small children.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·February 4, 2020·5 min read

Dopamine signals may guide migration of immune cells to infection sites

Dopamine may play a role in activating immune cells to migrate in the early stages of infection.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·February 26, 2020·4 min read

Vaping alters oral bacteria, increasing infection risk

Vaping e-cigarettes modulates the oral microbiome and increases the abundance of pathobionts. The aerosols in vaping products alter the host response, prompting gum inflammation and making epithelial cells in the mouth susceptible to infection.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·May 26, 2020·4 min read

Exposure to ‘good bacteria’ during pregnancy buffers risk of autism-like syndrome

Rat study suggests prenatal microbial exposure influences neurodevelopmental outcomes.

This shows a tissue sample from the study

Featured Neurology Open Neuroscience Articles

·July 17, 2020·5 min read

Lesion of Doom: How a Parasitic Bacterium Induces Blood Vessel Formation to Cause Lesions

Researchers discovered a bacteria of the genus Bartonella releases a protein, which they dubbed BafA, which stimulates the production of new blood vessels that support bacterial lesions. Bartonella henselae causes cat scratch disease. The findings provide new insight into the mechanisms by which infectious bacteria can produce lesions.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·November 29, 2020·7 min read

Microbiota Linked to Dynamics of the Human Immune System

Study reveals the gut microbiome directly influences the makeup of the human immune system. Researchers found the concentration of different types of immune cells in the blood change in the presence of different bacterial strains in the gut.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·December 18, 2020·4 min read

Researchers Identify Bacteria That Promote Metabolic and Mental Health

B. longum APC1472 reduces blood glucose levels and reduces weight gain in mouse models. The bacteria also keep ghrelin, a hormone associated with hunger, and the stress hormone cortisol in check.

This shows the choroid plexus of a mouse

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·July 11, 2021·4 min read

Immaturity of Microbiota and Epithelial Barriers Implicated in Neonatal Meningitis

Immaturity of the gut microbiome and epithelial barriers in the gut and choroid plexus appear to play a significant role in neonatal susceptibility to meningitis.

This shows the Neisseria Gonorrheoeae bacteria

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·July 24, 2022·5 min read

Did Gonorrhea Give Us Grandparents?

Researchers have identified a set of genetic mutations that protect against cognitive decline in older adults. A new study suggests the selective pressure from infectious pathogens like gonorrhea may have promoted the emergence of this genetic variance in Homo sapiens.