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microbiome

·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.

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·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 Neuroscience

·April 27, 2020·3 min read

Antibiotics may increase risk for opioid abuse

Researchers 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.

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·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.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·February 18, 2020·5 min read

Parkinson’s biomarker may originate in gut

Using mouse models, researchers seeded alpha-synuclein aggregates in gut neurons and discovered the clumps can travel to neurons in the brain.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·February 12, 2020·3 min read

Gut 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.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 14, 2020·3 min read

Probiotic could guard against Parkinson’s

Building 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.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·January 8, 2020·4 min read

Gut microbes may improve stroke recovery

Microbiota-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.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·January 2, 2020·2 min read

Harnessing the microbiome to improve stroke recovery

Short-chain fatty acid supplementation improves stroke recovery in mouse models.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·November 22, 2019·4 min read

Increased use of antibiotics may predispose to Parkinson’s disease

Excessive exposure to certain antibiotics can predispose a person to Parkinson's disease, with a delay of onset of up to 15 years.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·November 15, 2019·4 min read

Fecal transplantation to treat patients with Parkinson’s disease: Hope or hype?

Study reflects on the possible use of fecal microbiome transplants and pre/probiotics to help with the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Findings reveal fecal transplants have not yet been proven to be effective for motor symptoms associated with the condition, and probiotics have only been shown to assist with constipation.