New Research Reveals Microbiome’s Role in Brain Disorders

February 5, 2021

According to new research, the origins of some brain disorders may not be in the head but rather in the gut. Scientists studying the vast populations of microbes living in and on our bodies (known as the microbiome) have found they play a major role in brain function and behavior. Although researchers have yet to map out the exact path from cause to effect in linking the microbiome and behavior, the findings are driving the development of new therapies.

The brain-microbiome connection revolves around the vagus nerve, which links the brain stem to organs like the colon. In the 1970s, surgery to cut this neural pathway, initially done to treat stomach ulcers, also reduced the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Other studies have shown that small molecules produced by gut bacteria can enter the bloodstream and influence the brain. This discovery has prompted many biopharma startups to start creating treatments that target the gut-brain link.

Citation for report:

Willyard C. (2021). How gut microbes could drive brain disorders. Nature, 590(7844), 22–25. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-021-00260-3