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gut bacteria

This is a diagram of the intestinal tract

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 31, 2019·5 min read

Gut bacteria’s connections to human health and disease

Study goes beyond evaluating the organisms in the microbiome, looking at the functions different bacteria may be performing.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 30, 2019·5 min read

Gut bacteria influence autism-like behaviors in mice

Using germ-free mouse models, researchers transplanted fecal bacteria from children on the autism spectrum and neurotypical children. Mice who received the transplants from the ASD cohort began to exhibit autism-like behaviors, whereas the mice who received transplants from typically developing children did not. Additionally, the mice showed altered gene expression in their brains and differences in types of metabolites present. In particular, the ASD mice had lower levels of 5AV and taurine. Findings suggest gut microbiota regulates autism-like behaviors via the production of neuroactive metabolites, providing further evidence for the gut-brain axis connection to the pathology of autism.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 26, 2019·5 min read

Anxiety might be alleviated by regulating gut bacteria

A new meta-analysis study reports regulating intestinal microbiota is more than 50% effective at helping to reduce anxiety. Non-probiotic interventions were more effective than probiotic interventions at helping to relieve symptoms.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 23, 2019·3 min read

Bacteria in fermented food signal the human immune system, explaining health benefits

A metabolite produced by lactic acid bacteria binds to the third hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor (HCA), signalling the immune system. Researchers believe the receptor evolved to allow great apes to consume foods that were starting to decay. They suggest the receptor could mediate some beneficial and anti-inflammatory effects of lactic acid in humans, and could serve as a target to treat inflammatory diseases.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 21, 2019·5 min read

Like A Lot of Things, Women’s Gut Microbiomes Appear to Mature Earlier than Men’s

Young women have higher gut bacteria diversity than males, study reports.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 14, 2019·4 min read

How stressed-out gut bacteria may trigger autoimmune response

Chronic social stress in mice induces the expression of virulent genes in the gut microbiota. The altered microbiota increases the presence of effector T helper cells in the lymph nodes and induces myelin autoreactive cells. Exposure to chronic stress, therefore, may increase the risk of developing autoimmune diseases for some individuals with a susceptibility.

This shows the outline of a head and brain

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 14, 2019·4 min read

Probiotic-derived molecule may suppress fatal brain inflammation

Capsular polysaccharide A (PSA), an envelope molecule, may help to boost the immune system and protect against potentially fatal neuroinflammation associated with Herpes Simplex Encephalitis (HSE). Mice given PSA survived exposure to a lethal herpes simplex viral infection, while those not treated with the probiotic did not, despite both groups being treated with a common antiviral used to treat HSE.

This shows a person holding his tummy as if in pain

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·May 7, 2019·7 min read

Study explains why a moody gut often accompanies depression

Mice with a genetic mutation linked to severe depression had impaired ability for neurons in the gut and brain to create serotonin. The reduction of serotonin in the gut led to a deterioration in the gut's lining, slowing the movement of contents through the GI tract and resulting in constipation. However, treatment with 5-HTP increased neurogenesis in the gut, restoring normal function.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·May 6, 2019·5 min read

Transplanting gut bacteria alters depression-related behavior, brain inflammation in rats

The gut microbiome contributes to depression-like behaviors and inflammation in the ventral hippocampus, according to a new rat study. Fecal transplants from rats with lower levels of Clostridia reduced depressive behaviors and inflammation in vulnerable rodents.

This shows a mother breastfeeding a newborn baby

Featured Neuroscience

·April 10, 2019·5 min read

Breast milk analyses show new opportunities for reducing risk of childhood obesity

Maternal obesity is associated with differences in breast milk composition from that of mothers with a lower BMI. The variations of the metabolites may contribute to a higher risk of childhood obesity in children whose mothers are overweight. The findings point to a potential breast milk dependent mechanism for the mother-child transmission of obesity.

Autism Featured Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·April 9, 2019·10 min read

Autism symptoms reduced nearly 50% two years after fecal transplant

Arizona State University researchers claim microbiota transfer therapy reduces symptoms associated with autism and gastrointestinal problems for two years post-treatment. The study suggests MTT may be a promising option for helping to treat children with ASD who also have GI problems. The researchers stress further research, including double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trials with a larger cohort be carried out.