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Exploring the possible relationship between skin microbiome and brain cognitive functions: a pilot EEG study.
Po-Chun Wang1, Daniyal Rajput1,2, Xin-Fu Wang1
1Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Scientific Reports
|April 2, 2024
Summary
This study found that skin bacteria influence brain activity. Specifically, changes in skin microbiota affected event-related potentials (ERPs) measured by EEG, suggesting a link between skin microbes and cognitive function.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Human Microbiome Research
Background:
- The human gut microbiota produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) influencing brain function via the gut-brain axis.
- Skin microorganisms also produce SCFAs involved in skin homeostasis.
- The impact of skin-derived SCFAs on cognitive brain functions remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between skin bacterial populations and brain functional activities.
- To examine the influence of local skin microbiota on event-related potentials (ERPs) during cognitive tasks.
- To explore the relationship between skin microbiota and cognitive functions using machine learning.
Main Methods:
- Utilized electroencephalography (EEG) to measure ERPs during an oddball task in 20 healthy subjects.
- Manipulated skin microbial growth using alcohol, glycerol, and water conditions.
- Applied five machine learning methods to analyze EEG data and discern microbiota-cognitive function relationships.
Main Results:
- Bacterial populations significantly increased under water and glycerol conditions compared to alcohol.
- P3 amplitudes in ERPs were significantly enhanced after bacterial removal under water and glycerol conditions.
- Machine learning models accurately differentiated EEG features (accuracy >88%) based on experimental manipulations.
Conclusions:
- The study suggests a significant relationship between skin microbiota and brain functions.
- Findings indicate that skin bacterial metabolites may modulate cognitive processes.
- Further research into the mechanisms underlying the skin-brain axis is warranted for potential therapeutic interventions.
