Can Microbes Affect Your Mood? When Gut Bacteria Feed on Brain Chemicals
Nature World News - 07/06/2016
Scientists have learned of a type of gut bacteria that may be a “depression microbe” linked to mood disorders in people. New Scientist reported on the finding by researchers at the Lewis Lab in Northeastern University in Boston, noting that this was the first time gut bacteria have been observed to consume brain chemicals.
The lab team, led by microbiologist Philip Strandwitz, gave a presentation of their work at ASM Microbe, the 2016 general meeting of the American Society For Microbiology. Their research revealed that recently discovered gut bacteria, designated KLE1738, could be grown only on γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that can counteract the overstimulation of nerve cells.
Scientists have learned of a type of gut bacteria that may be a “depression microbe” linked to mood disorders in people. New Scientist reported on the finding by researchers at the Lewis Lab in Northeastern University in Boston, noting that this was the first time gut bacteria have been observed to consume brain chemicals.
The lab team, led by microbiologist Philip Strandwitz, gave a presentation of their work at ASM Microbe, the 2016 general meeting of the American Society For Microbiology. Their research revealed that recently discovered gut bacteria, designated KLE1738, could be grown only on γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that can counteract the overstimulation of nerve cells.
