FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·May 30, 2020New gut-brain link: How gut mucus could help treat brain disordersChanges 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. Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·May 18, 2020Study traces brain-to-gut connectionsResearchers have traced neural pathways that connect the brain to the gut. The findings provide a biological mechanism that explains how stress can cause ulcers. Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·May 15, 2020Gut microbiome influences ALS outcomesStudy 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. Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·April 29, 2020Scientists explore links between genetics, gut microbiome and memoryResearchers 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. Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·April 27, 2020Antibiotics may increase risk for opioid abuseResearchers administered antibiotics to rats for two weeks, depleting their gut microbiome. They then administered oxycodone. Compared to rats given only the opioid, those given the antibiotics had profound changes in how their brains responded to the pain killers. Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·February 26, 2020Vaping alters oral bacteria, increasing infection riskVaping 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. Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·February 18, 2020Parkinson’s biomarker may originate in gutUsing mouse models, researchers seeded alpha-synuclein aggregates in gut neurons and discovered the clumps can travel to neurons in the brain. Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·February 12, 2020Gut feelings: Is the microbiome linked to our personality?A new study links the microbiome to personality traits and social behaviors. Those with a larger social network tend to have a more diverse gut microbiome. Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·January 14, 2020Probiotic could guard against Parkinson’sBuilding on previous research that links gut bacteria to the development of Parkinson's disease, researchers identified a probiotic which prevents the formation of alpha-synuclein. Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·January 8, 2020Gut microbes may improve stroke recoveryMicrobiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) modulate stroke recovery. The effect was mediated by circulating lymphocytes on microglia activation. The study reports SCFAs could be a potential therapeutic to improve post-stroke recovery. Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·January 2, 2020Harnessing the microbiome to improve stroke recoveryShort-chain fatty acid supplementation improves stroke recovery in mouse models. Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·November 22, 2019Increased use of antibiotics may predispose to Parkinson’s diseaseExcessive exposure to certain antibiotics can predispose a person to Parkinson's disease, with a delay of onset of up to 15 years. Read More
