Dynamical alterations of brain function and gut microbiome in weight loss

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Microbiology
• Metabolic Health

Background:

• Intermittent energy restriction (IER) is a recognized weight loss method.
• The brain-gut-microbiome (BGM) axis plays a crucial role in metabolic health.
• Limited research exists on IER's dynamic impact on the BGM axis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the longitudinal effects of IER on brain activity.
• To analyze changes in gut microbial composition during IER-induced weight loss.
• To explore correlations between brain activity and gut microbiota alterations.

Main Methods:

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess brain region activity.
• Metagenomic sequencing of fecal samples to profile gut microbes.
• Longitudinal analysis of 25 obese individuals undergoing a 2-month IER intervention.

Main Results:

• IER reduced activity in brain regions associated with obesity, including the inferior frontal orbital gyrus, putamen, and anterior cingulate cortex.
• IER altered gut microbiota, decreasing E. coli and increasing Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Parabacteroides distasonis, and Bacterokles uniformis.
• Significant correlations were observed between gut bacteria abundance and changes in brain activity.

Conclusions:

• IER induces dynamic alterations in the brain-gut-microbiome axis during weight loss.
• Specific gut microbes, like E. coli, show altered communication with brain regions.
• These findings highlight the interconnectedness of diet, gut microbiota, and brain function in weight management.