The brain has its own microbiome
Recent research indicates the human brain has its own microbiome, influencing neurodegenerative disorders. Infections may contribute to cognitive decline, with antibiotics showing potential in alleviating symptoms and guiding future treatments.
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Recent research has revealed that the human brain hosts its own microbiome, consisting of various microbes, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This discovery has significant implications for understanding neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. A notable case is that of Nikki Schultek, who experienced a range of debilitating symptoms, including chronic pain and cognitive decline, which were eventually linked to infections. After receiving antibiotic treatment for these infections, her symptoms, including brain fog and memory issues, went into remission. This case has spurred interest in the potential role of infections in cognitive decline and the brain's microbial community. Researchers are now exploring how this microbiome could contribute to preventing neurodegenerative diseases and possibly reversing symptoms when they occur. The growing understanding of the brain's microbiome opens new avenues for treatment and prevention strategies in neurology.
- The human brain contains its own microbiome, which may influence health.
- Infections have been linked to cognitive decline, as seen in individual cases.
- Antibiotic treatment has shown potential in alleviating symptoms of neurodegeneration.
- Research is expanding on the role of the brain's microbial community in neurodegenerative diseases.
- Understanding the brain microbiome could lead to new treatment and prevention methods.
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8 commentsI'm just a layman but can anyone ELI5 how this can be squared with the OP, specifically with statements like
> It turns out our grey matter is teeming with bacteria, viruses and fungi
Reading just the beginning of that article "she experienced chronic pain, digestive problems and a cardiac arrhythmia", well, that is my life. I constantly have minor aspergillosis, and I have some lung nodules from some past fungal infections as well.
Keeping the microbiome under control is all about a healthy immune system.
But since my disorder affected my mental state they just labeled me as a psychiatric case and did not look any further, If anyone here is a doctor, please do not give up on psychiatric patients. Thanks.
Interesting case here:
Aspergillosis of the central nervous system in a previously healthy patient that simulated Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5180434/
"He was admitted to the hospital with an occipital headache which he had endured for 2 months. For over 1 and a half months, he had also experienced behavioral disorders and a disruption of higher mental functions. He had retrograde and anterograde amnesia with both echolalia and the presence of visual hallucinations. "
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