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Updated: Dec 18, 2025
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Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment
Published on: November 17, 2018
13.7K
Evaluation of antibiotic-induced behavioral changes in mice
Hye-Joo Kwon1, Afrah E Mohammed2, Kamal H Eltom3
1Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 84428, Saudi Arabia; The University of Utah Asia Campus, Incheon, Korea.
Physiology & Behavior
|June 20, 2020
Summary
Antibiotic use alters gut microbiota (GM), impacting mouse behavior. Studies show antibiotic-induced GM changes can cause memory deficits and depression, suggesting a link between gut health and psychological well-being.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology
- Psychology
Background:
- Gut microbiota (GM) is integral to host health, influencing metabolic, immunologic, and neurologic functions.
- Emerging research suggests a connection between GM composition and psychological well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of antibiotic-induced gut microbiota disturbances on mouse behavior and psychological conditions.
- To determine if specific antibiotics, clindamycin and amoxicillin, affect cognitive and emotional behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Mice were administered clindamycin or amoxicillin to induce alterations in gut microbiota.
- Behavioral assessments were conducted to evaluate cognitive function (recognition memory), mood (depression), locomotor activity, and anxiety levels.
Main Results:
- Antibiotic-treated mice exhibited significantly reduced recognition memory.
- A notable increase in depression-like behaviors was observed in antibiotic-exposed groups.
- No significant alterations in locomotor activity or anxiety levels were detected between groups.
Conclusions:
- Antibiotic-induced alterations in gut microbiota composition can lead to cognitive deficits, specifically impaired recognition memory.
- These findings suggest a causal link between gut microbiota dysbiosis and negative behavioral and psychological outcomes, including depression.
- The study highlights the potential impact of antibiotics on brain function via the gut-brain axis.
