Gut Microbiome Disruption Linked to Aggression
A study from Bar-Ilan University links gut microbiome disruptions from early antibiotic use to increased aggression in mice, highlighting the gut-brain axis's role and potential implications for human health.
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A recent study from Bar-Ilan University has established a link between gut microbiome disruptions and increased aggression in mice, particularly due to early-life antibiotic exposure. Researchers transplanted microbiomes from infants who had received antibiotics into mice, observing a significant rise in aggressive behavior compared to those receiving microbiomes from unexposed infants. The study, published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, also noted alterations in neurotransmitter levels, such as serotonin, and changes in gene expression in brain regions associated with aggression, particularly the septum. This research builds on previous findings in fruit flies and emphasizes the gut-brain axis's role in behavioral outcomes. The use of "humanized" mice, which have human intestinal bacteria, enhances the relevance of these findings to human health. The results suggest that disruptions in the gut microbiome during critical developmental periods can lead to persistent aggressive behaviors, opening avenues for future interventions aimed at improving social behavior and addressing aggression-related disorders.
- Disruptions in the gut microbiome due to early antibiotic use are linked to increased aggression in mice.
- Significant changes in neurotransmitter levels and gene expression related to aggression were observed.
- The study highlights the importance of the gut-brain axis in shaping long-term behavioral outcomes.
- Findings may inform future interventions for social behavior issues and aggression-related disorders.
- The research utilized humanized mice to enhance the relevance of the findings to human health.
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