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Intracerebroventricular Delivery of Gut-Derived Microbial Metabolites in Freely Moving Mice
Published on: June 2, 2022
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Regulation of prefrontal cortex myelination by the microbiota
A E Hoban1,2, R M Stilling1,2, F J Ryan1,3
1APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
Translational Psychiatry
|April 6, 2016
Summary
The gut microbiome influences brain development, with germ-free mice showing altered gene expression related to myelin plasticity in the prefrontal cortex. Microbiota colonization reversed these changes, highlighting its role in brain health.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology
- Genetics
Background:
- The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is crucial in neuropsychiatric disorders.
- The gut microbiota's role in these disorders is increasingly recognized.
- Germ-free (GF) animal models reveal microbiota's impact on behavior and stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate microbial influence on PFC neuronal gene regulation in GF mice.
- To identify specific molecular mechanisms underlying microbiota-brain interactions.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide transcriptome profiling of GF mouse PFC.
- Ultrastructural analysis of myelination.
- Reversal studies via microbiota colonization.
Main Results:
- Significant upregulation of genes associated with myelination and myelin plasticity in GF mice.
- Upregulation of neural activity-induced pathways.
- Evidence of hypermyelinated axons in GF mouse PFC.
- Reversal of gene expression changes upon microbiota colonization post-weaning.
Conclusions:
- The gut microbiome is essential for regulating myelin-related genes in the PFC.
- Microbiota influences cortical myelination at an ultrastructural level.
- The microbiome represents a potential therapeutic target for psychiatric disorders involving PFC myelination.
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