Gut microbiome populations are associated with structure-specific changes in white matter architecture

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Microbiology
• Genetics

Background:

• Altered gut microbiome populations are linked to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder and mood disorders.
• Dietary manipulation in animal models affects brain function, behavior, and ameliorates behavioral symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if diet-induced behavioral changes in animal models correlate with alterations in neural tissue microstructure.
• To explore the relationship between gut microbiome composition and brain structure changes.

Main Methods:

• Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to assess white matter structural integrity.
• 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing analyzed changes in gut bacterial populations.
• Machine learning classifiers quantified associations between microbiome and brain regions.

Main Results:

• Dietary interventions induced global changes in white matter structural integrity.
• Significant alterations in gut bacterial populations were observed based on diet.
• Associations were identified between diet-dependent gut microbiome changes and brain structure.

Conclusions:

• Diet significantly impacts both gut microbiome composition and brain structure.
• The gut-brain-microbiota axis is influenced by diet, affecting neural tissue.
• These findings highlight the potential of diet and metagenomic factors in neuroimaging studies.