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Gut microbiota composition is associated with temperament traits in infants

Anna-Katariina Aatsinki1, Leo Lahti2, Henna-Maria Uusitupa1

  • 1The FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Department of Clinical, Medicine, University of Turku, Lemminkäisenkatu 3 a, Teutori Building, 20014 Turun yliopisto, Finland.

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
|May 28, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Infant gut microbiota composition is linked to temperament traits like regulation and emotionality. This study explores early life gut microbes and their association with infant behavior, offering insights into neurodevelopment.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiome research
  • Developmental psychology
  • Infant neurodevelopment

Background:

  • Temperament traits in infancy can predict later mental health issues.
  • Gut microbiota composition (GMC) differences are linked to neurodevelopment.
  • While toddler GMC-temperament links are known, infant studies are scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between infant gut microbiota composition and temperament.
  • To explore early life GMC development during a critical neurodevelopmental period.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of stool samples from 301 infants (2.5 months old) using 16S rRNA sequencing.
  • Investigated GMC taxonomic composition, diversity, and richness.
  • Correlated GMC with maternal reports of infant temperament (IBQ-R) at 6 months.

Main Results:

  • Three GMC clusters identified: Bifidobacterium/Enterobacteriaceae, Bacteroides, and V. Dispar.
  • Bifidobacterium/Enterobacteriaceae cluster showed higher regulation scores compared to Bacteroides.
  • Positive emotionality (surgency) associated with Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus; alpha diversity negatively associated with negative emotionality and fear.

Conclusions:

  • First study to show associations between infant GMC and temperament in a prospective design.
  • Findings suggest a link between early gut microbiome and behavioral phenotypes.
  • Does not establish causality, but highlights potential early-life gut-brain axis interactions.
Abstract

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