How does gut microbiome affect mental health?

September 9, 2022  19:54

Evidence is emerging that a collection of microorganisms in a person's gut may also affect their neurological and emotional health, according to an article by Southwestern University Medical Center researcher Jane Foster, professor of psychiatry, published in the journal Science.

In her article, Dr. Foster discusses how scientists are unraveling the connection between the microbiome and the brain, including links to diseases such as depression and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Dr. Foster, who first linked microbes in the gut of mice to anxiety, notes that animal studies have identified certain microbes and related metabolites that enhance anxious behavior and brain function. Transferring these findings to clinical populations could lead to the development of new treatments to improve symptoms and clinical outcomes, the researcher says.

Researchers had previously tried to figure out how inflammation might affect depression in stool samples collected from participants in the Texas Longitudinal Study of Resilience Against Depression. If certain microbes are found in a sample of a depressed patient that are associated with treatment success with certain antidepressant drugs or therapies, it could provide the basis for personalized medicine for that patient, the paper's author notes.

Antidepressants usually help about 40 percent of people. Other options include cognitive behavioral therapy, deep brain stimulation or even exercise and diet. By expanding the individual patient profile, can we improve the number of people who respond to a particular treatment, said the psychiatrist.

Follow NEWS.am Medicine on Facebook and Twitter


 
  • Video
 
 
  • Event calendar
 
 
  • Archive
 
  • Most read
 
  • Find us on Facebook
 
  • Poll
Are you aware that in 2027 medical insurance will become mandatory for all Armenian citizens?
I’m aware, and I'm in favor
I’m not aware, and I'm against
I'm aware, but I'm still undecided
I'm not aware, but in principle I'm in favor
I'm not aware, but in principle I'm against
It doesn't matter to me