A Distinct Brain-Gut-Microbiome Profile Exists for Females with Obesity and Food Addiction
Tien S Dong1,2,3,4, Emeran A Mayer1,2,3,4,5, Vadim Osadchiy4,5
1Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|September 16, 2020
Summary
Food addiction (FA) is linked to changes in the gut microbiome and brain reward network connectivity. This study suggests targeting the brain-gut-microbiome axis may help treat FA and obesity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Microbiome research
- Metabolomics
- Obesity research
Background:
- Brain-gut-microbiome interactions are increasingly recognized as significant factors in obesity.
- Alterations in these interactions may play a role in the development and maintenance of obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between food addiction (FA) and the brain-gut-microbiome axis.
- To utilize a multi-omics approach, including microbiome data, metabolomics, and brain imaging, to explore this connection.
Main Methods:
- 105 females underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging.
- Food addiction was assessed using the Yale Food Addiction Scale.
- Fecal samples were analyzed for microbiome sequencing and metabolomics.
- Multivariate analyses and machine learning algorithms were employed for statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- 33.3% of females with obesity met criteria for FA, compared to 5.3% with overweight and 0% with normal BMI.
- Gut microbiome composition differed between females with and without FA, with specific bacteria (Bacteroides, Megamonas, Eubacterium, Akkermansia) associated with FA.
- Indolepropionic acid levels were inversely correlated with FA.
- FA was associated with increased connectivity in the brain's reward network, particularly involving the intraparietal sulcus, brain stem, and putamen.
Conclusions:
- This is the first study to explore FA within the context of the brain-gut-microbiome axis.
- Findings support the potential of targeting the brain-gut-microbiome axis as a therapeutic strategy for FA and obesity.
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