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microbiome

This is a drawing of a swiss army knife covered in bacteria

·June 4, 2019·3 min read

Gut check: Researchers describe role of gut bacteria in drug response

Researchers have identified causal links between microbiota gene content and metabolic activity which impacts personal differences in drug metabolism. The findings help explain why some people don't respond to, or have adverse side effects from taking medications, while others don't.

This is a diagram of the intestinal tract

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·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.

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·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.

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·May 30, 2019·5 min read

Research confirms gut-brain connection in autism

Genetic mutations, which occur in both the brain and gut, could be a main cause of autism. Using mouse models of ASD, researchers discovered the neuroligin-3 R451C mutation affects neural communication in the brain and causes dysfunction in the gut. The findings strengthen the gut-brain hypothesis of autism.

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·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.

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·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.

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·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.

this shows the effect of antibiotic treatment on ab in mouse models

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·May 16, 2019·4 min read

Antibiotic treatment alleviates Alzheimer’s disease symptoms in male mice

Study reports specific gut bacteria can influence the development of Alzheimer's disease. In mouse models, long term antibiotic treatment reduced inflammation and the formation of amyloid plaques. However, the reduction was only seen in males. Additionally, the antibiotic treatment altered the activation of microglia in the male mouse models.

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·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.

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·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

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·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.

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·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.