Reference Number: 116
Year: 2013
Link: Link to original paper
Health: Gut Microbiome
Summary
Summary
Neuro developmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are defined by core behavioral impairments; however, subsets of individuals display a spectrum of gastrointestinal (GI) abnormalities. We demonstrate GI barrier defects and microbiota alterations in the maternal immune activation (MIA) mouse model that is known to display features of ASD. Oral treatment of MIA offspring with the hu- man commensal Bacteroides fragilis corrects gut permeability, alters microbial composition, and ame- liorates defects in communicative, stereotypic, anxiety like and sensorimotor behaviors. MIA offspring display an altered serum metabolomic profile, and B. fragilis modulates levels of several metabolites. Treating naive mice with a metabolite that is increased by MIA and restored by B. fragilis causes certain behavioral abnormalities, suggesting that gut bacterial effects on the host metabolome impact behavior. Taken together, these findings support a gut microbiome brain connection in a mouse model of ASD and identify a potential probiotic therapy for GI and particular behavioral symptoms in human neurodevelopmental disorders.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS STUDY
The role the gut microbiota in mental health is summarised in this study. The study is truly fascinating since it features the link between the gut microbiome and mental health also known as the gut-brain axis which provides us with a deeper understanding of how important it is for us to nurture our gut microbiome in the best possible ways in order to stay healthy both physically and mentally.