Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026
07:49
Intracerebroventricular Delivery of Gut-Derived Microbial Metabolites in Freely Moving Mice
Published on: June 2, 2022
4.0K
Gut microbiota: the link to your second brain
Vanessa Ridaura1, Yasmine Belkaid1
1Program in Barrier Immunity and Repair, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Mucosal Immunology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Cell
|April 11, 2015
Summary
Gut microbes influence serotonin production, a key signaling molecule impacting bodily functions. This research highlights the connection between microbial metabolites and host physiology via serotonin signaling.
Area of Science:
- Neurogastroenterology
- Microbiome Research
- Physiology
Background:
- Serotonin is a crucial signaling molecule involved in numerous physiological processes.
- The gut microbiome's role in host health is increasingly recognized.
- Emerging evidence suggests a link between gut microbes and serotonin production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of microbial-derived metabolites on serotonin production in the gut.
- To elucidate how gut microbial activity influences host physiological functions through serotonin.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of microbial metabolites in the gut.
- Measurement of serotonin levels.
- Assessment of host physiological responses.
Main Results:
- Microbial metabolites were found to significantly affect serotonin production.
- Changes in serotonin levels correlated with alterations in host physiological functions.
- The study provides direct evidence for microbiome-mediated serotonin regulation.
Conclusions:
- Gut microbial metabolites play a critical role in regulating host serotonin production.
- This interaction between the gut microbiome and serotonin impacts host physiology.
- Targeting the gut microbiome may offer novel therapeutic strategies for conditions involving serotonin dysregulation.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Gut-Brain Axis
122
The gut–brain axis is a bidirectional communication system that connects the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. This interaction is mediated through multiple pathways, including the vagus nerve, hormonal signals, immune responses, and chemical messengers produced by gut microbes.Microbial Contributions to Brain FunctionGut microbiota contributes significantly to brain function by producing neuroactive compounds. These include neuroactive compounds that influence neurotransmitters such...
122
01:18Functions of the Gut Microbiota
89
The gut microbiota includes trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. This complex ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Most of these microbes inhabit the large intestine, establishing a relatively stable and diverse community that contributes to gut homeostasis through various metabolic, immunological, and protective mechanisms.Dominant bacterial phyla, such as...
89
01:22Introduction to the Human Microbiota
101
Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity,...
101
01:27Microbiota of the Large Intestine
77
The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...
77
01:23Anatomy of the Intestines
92.5K
Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
92.5K
01:27The Oral Microbiota
57
The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
57