Gut microbiome and brain functional connectivity in infants-a preliminary study focusing on the amygdala

Gao, Wei; Salzwedel, Andrew P.; Carlson, Alexander L.; Xia, Kai; Azcarate‐Peril, M. Andrea; Styner, Martin; Thompson, Amanda L.; Geng, Xiujuan; Goldman, Barbara Davis; Gilmore, John H.; Knickmeyer, Rebecca

doi:10.1007/s00213-018-5161-8

Cited by 103 publications

(104 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…Some studies have attempted to assess the relationships between brain functional connectivity and gut microbiota. For example, Gao et al reported that gut alpha diversity was associated with functional connectivity between the amygdala and thalamus, between the anterior cingulate cortex and anterior insula, and between the supplementary motor area and inferior parietal lobule in infants [48]. Curtis et al showed that insular resting-state functional connectivity was related to gut microbiota diversity [33].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex-dependent Gut Microbiota-brain-cognition Associations: A Multimodal MRI Study

Zhang

Cai

Wang

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: There is bidirectional communication between the gut microbiota and the brain. Empirical evidence has demonstrated sex differences in both the gut microbiome and the brain. However, the effects of sex on the gut microbiota-brain associations have yet to be determined. Methods: 157 healthy young adults underwent brain structural, perfusion, functional and diffusion MRIs to measure gray matter volume (GMV), cerebral blood flow (CBF), functional connectivity strength (FCS) and white matter integrity, respectively. Fecal samples were collected and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was utilized to assess gut microbial diversity. Correlation analyses were conducted to test for sex-dependent associations between microbial diversity and brain imaging parameters, and mediation analysis was performed to further characterize the gut microbiota-brain-cognition relationship. Results: We found that higher gut microbial diversity was associated with higher GMV in the right cerebellum Ⅵ, higher CBF in the bilateral calcarine sulcus yet lower CBF in the left superior frontal gyrus, higher FCS in the bilateral paracentral lobule, and lower diffusivity in widespread white matter regions in males. However, these associations were absent in females. Of more importance, these neuroimaging biomarkers significantly mediated the association between gut microbial diversity and behavioral inhibition in males. Conclusions: These findings highlight sex as a potential influential factor underlying the gut microbiota-brain-cognition relationship, and expose the gut microbiota as a biomarker-driven and sex-sensitive intervention target for mental disorders with abnormal behavioral inhibition.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex-dependent Gut Microbiota-brain-cognition Associations: A Multimodal MRI Study

Zhang

Cai

Wang

et al. 2020

Preprint

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“…Of specific relevance to ecological discussions, included in DOHaD findings, is intriguing research that suggests that non-pathogenic microbes (and other aspects of biodiversity) in early life have multisystem consequences through effects on immune development [148]. One of the more fascinating dimensions of this has been revelations that this might even influence subsequent brain development and mental health [149][150][151][152]. When paired with separate research on access/residential proximity to natural environments and healthy birth outcomes (again, setting life-course health) [153,154], the psychobiological implications of rewilding loom large.…”

Section: De-extinction Of Experience Psychobiological Restoration: Mmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spaceship Earth Revisited: The Co-Benefits of Overcoming Biological Extinction of Experience at the Level of Person, Place and Planet

Prescott

Bland²

2020

IJERPH

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Extensive research underscores that we interpret the world through metaphors; moreover, common metaphors are a useful means to enhance the pursuit of personal and collective goals. In the context of planetary health—defined as the interdependent vitality of all natural and anthropogenic ecosystems (social, political and otherwise)—one enduring metaphor can be found in the concept of “Spaceship Earth”. Although not without criticism, the term “Spaceship Earth” has been useful to highlight both resource limitations and the beauty and fragility of delicate ecosystems that sustain life. Rene Dubos, who helped popularize the term, underscored the need for an exposome perspective, one that examines the total accumulated environmental exposures (both detrimental and beneficial) that predict the biological responses of the “total organism to the total environment” over time. In other words, how large-scale environmental changes affect us all personally, albeit in individualized ways. This commentary focuses the ways in which microbes, as an essential part of all ecosystems, provide a vital link between personal and planetary systems, and mediate the biopsychosocial aspects of our individualized experience—and thus health—over our life course journey. A more fine-grained understanding of these dynamics and our power to change them, personally and collectively, lies at the core of restoring “ecosystems balance” for person, place and planet. In particular, restoring human connectedness to the natural world, sense of community and shared purpose must occur in tandem with technological solutions, and will enhance individual empowerment for personal well-being, as well as our collective potential to overcome our grand challenges. Such knowledge can help shape the use of metaphor and re-imagine solutions and novel ways for restoration or rewilding of ecosystems, and the values, behaviors and attitudes to light the path toward exiting the Anthropocene.

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“…Gut colonization begins at birth and the infant microbiota undergoes significant changes during the first 2‐3 years of life, before reaching a more stable condition resembling the composition of adult intestinal microbiota . During that same period, brain networks rapidly evolve, including neural circuits involved in social and emotional processing . Neonates are born equipped with reflective responses to environmental stimuli, and by the age of 3, young children will have acquired language, communicative speech, and imaginative play and will have set the foundations for the development of empathy and emotional self‐regulation …”

Section: Gut Colonization and Early Social Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Gut microorganisms seem to communicate with the brain through multiple pathways including direct vagal stimulation, production of neuropeptides and neurotransmitters, stimulation of the HPA axis, and regulation of cytokine production . The absence of microbiota in animal models has been linked to differential gene expression and functional connectivity in brain regions implicated in social behavior such as the amygdala . Likewise, Desbonett et al showed that germ‐free mice display deficits in social motivation and social interaction, reduced preference to novel social stimuli and more repetitive behaviors.…”

Section: The Role Of Gut Microbiota In Social Behaviors: Data From Anmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neonate gut colonization: The rise of a social brain

Karaivazoglou

Konstantakis

Assimakopoulos

et al. 2019

Neurogastroenterology Motil

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Background:The human gut microbiota constitutes an integral part of human physiology, playing an important role in maintaining health, and compositional or functional changes in intestinal microbiota may be associated with the emergence of several chronic diseases. Animal and human studies have shown that there is a dynamic cross-talk between intestinal microorganisms and brain networks which has an impact on neurodevelopment and may be extremely critical in shaping human social behavior. Purpose:The aim of the current review is to appraise and present in a concise manner all findings linking the evolution of neonate and infant gut colonization with early social development and to formulate scientifically informed hypotheses which could guide future research on this field. K E Y W O R D Sgut microbiota, neurodevelopment, social brain, symbiosis

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Gut microbiome and brain functional connectivity in infants-a preliminary study focusing on the amygdala

Cited by 103 publications

References 55 publications

Sex-dependent Gut Microbiota-brain-cognition Associations: A Multimodal MRI Study

Sex-dependent Gut Microbiota-brain-cognition Associations: A Multimodal MRI Study

Spaceship Earth Revisited: The Co-Benefits of Overcoming Biological Extinction of Experience at the Level of Person, Place and Planet

Neonate gut colonization: The rise of a social brain

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