DietBB Seminar Series: "A Gut Feeling about the Brain Across the Lifespan: Microbiota as a Key Regulator of Brain Development & Behaviour"

Presentation, Copyright: colourbox.de

January 18, 2016

The brain-gut-microbiota axis is emerging as a research area of increasing interest for those investigating the biological and physiological basis of neurodevelopmental, age-related and neurodegenerative disorders.

The routes of communication between the gut and brain include the vagus nerve, the immune system, tryptophan metabolism or by way of microbial metabolites such as short chain fatty acids. Studies in animal models have shown that the development of an appropriate stress response is dependent on the microbiota. Developmentally, a variety of factors can impact the microbiota in early life including antibiotic exposure, mode of nutritional provision, infection, stress as well as host genetics. It is also worth noting that those born by caesarean section have a distinctly different microbiota in early life to those born per vaginum. At the other extreme of life, individuals who age with considerable ill health tend to show narrowing in microbial diversity. Recently, the gut microbiota has been implicated in a variety of conditions including autism, schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease. There is still considerable debate as to whether or not the gut microbiota changes are core to the pathophysiology of such conditions or are merely epiphenomenal. The current narrative suggests that certain neuropsychiatric disorders might be potentially treated by targeting the microbiota either by microbiota transplantation, antibiotics or psychobiotics.

Time and location of the seminar with Prof. John F. Cryan, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland: 17:00-17:45 auditorium XVII, EG, Nußallee 17.

For further information about Mr. Cryan.

Posterdownload

Next Meetings (planned): 01.02. TA 6; 14.03. TA3; 11.04. TA4; 09.05. T1; 13.06. TA5; 11.07. TA2 

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