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gut-brain axis

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 29, 2021·6 min read

Our Gut-Brain Connection

A new "organ on a chip" system helps researchers uncover how bacteria in the human digestive tract can impact neurological diseases.

This shows the outline of a head and a brain

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·January 25, 2021·4 min read

Newly Discovered Subset of Brain Cells Fight Inflammation With Instructions From the Gut

A newly discovered microbiome-controlled anti-inflammatory subset of astrocytes helps researchers better understand inflammation of the central nervous system and its regulation.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·October 13, 2020·4 min read

The hunger hormone ghrelin doesn't just influence where and when animals eat, it also appears to have an impact on memory. Disrupting signaling of ghrelin to the vagus nerve caused rats to forget they had just eaten, even though the animals remembered they had just had access to food. Findings suggest disrupted ghrelin signaling could negatively impact episodic memory.

Featured Neurology Open Neuroscience Articles

·August 6, 2020·4 min read

Gut Bacteria in People With Huntington’s Disease May Be a Potential Drug Target

Study provides evidence of gut dysbiosis associated with Huntington's disease. Some of the gut measures were associated with disease symptoms such as movement and cognitive impairment. The findings could provide a new avenue of treatment for the neurodegenerative disease.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 29, 2020·5 min read

Bacteria in the Gut Have a Direct Line to the Brain

Sensory neurons that send signals from the intestines to the brain stem extend to the interface of areas of the intestine that are exposed to high levels of microbial compounds. Turning off the neurons, researchers observed activated neurons in the brainstem as well as activation of gut neurons that control intestinal motility. The findings shed light on the potential mechanisms behind neurological abnormalities and intestinal diseases, including IBS.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 30, 2020·3 min read

New gut-brain link: How gut mucus could help treat brain disorders

Changes in gut mucus may contribute to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other neurological disorders. Researchers noted changes in types of gut mucus bacteria in those with a range of neurological disorders compared to their healthy peers. Findings suggest those with reduced gut mucus protection may be more susceptible to gastrointestinal problems.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 18, 2020·2 min read

Study traces brain-to-gut connections

Researchers have traced neural pathways that connect the brain to the gut. The findings provide a biological mechanism that explains how stress can cause ulcers.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 15, 2020·4 min read

Gut microbiome influences ALS outcomes

Study reveals a new gut-brain connection in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The gut microbiome could influence the severity of the neurodegenerative disease. Altering the bacteria in the gut may prevent or improve symptoms of ALS.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 29, 2020·5 min read

Scientists explore links between genetics, gut microbiome and memory

Researchers have honed in on a link between genetics, the gut microbiome, and memory. A new study identified a lactate as a key memory-boosting molecular messenger in mouse models. Mice fed Lactobacillus microbes had increased levels of GABA in their brains.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·April 27, 2020·3 min read

More evidence Parkinson’s disease may start in the gut

Enteric neurons appear to play a key role in the development of Parkinson's disease. The findings support the hypothesis and previous studies that the neurodegenerative disease may start in the gut before spreading to the brain. Researchers also found oligodendrocytes were affected during the early stages of Parkinson's, even before the loss of dopaminergic neurons.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 15, 2020·4 min read

A gut-to-brain circuit drives sugar preference and may explain sugar cravings

Sweet tasting foods don't only trigger the taste buds, they also switch on a neurological pathway that begins in the gut. In the intestines, signals of sugar ingestion travel to the brain, sparking an appetite for more sweet foods. However, this pathway only responds to sugars, not artificial sweeteners.