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·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
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·November 15, 2019Fecal 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. Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·November 14, 2019Inflammatory bowel disease appears to impact risk of Parkinson’s diseaseStudy provides new insights into how the immune system and inflammation play a role in the development and progression of Parkinson's disease. Read More
