Does schistosome infection affect behavior through the gut-brain axis?

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Microbiology
• Parasitology
• Global Health

Background:

• Helminth infections affect over 2 billion people, particularly those in poverty, impacting development through cognitive and behavioral changes.
• These changes may stem from the parasite itself or gut dysbiosis influencing the gut-brain axis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the behavioral and cognitive effects of schistosome infection in a mouse model.
• To analyze changes in the gut microbiome composition following schistosome infection.

Main Methods:

• Two cohorts of female mice were infected with schistosomes or sham-exposed.
• Behavioral tests included open field, Morris water maze, novel object recognition, and marble burying.
• Fecal samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing at two time points during chronic infection.

Main Results:

• Schistosome-infected mice exhibited increased anxiety, impaired spatial learning, and enhanced memory retention.
• Significant alterations in gut microbiome beta diversity and specific taxa (e.g., increased Alistipes, decreased Turicibacter) were observed.
• Microbiome shifts were associated with conditions typically linked to protective effects, suggesting a potential beneficial role.

Conclusions:

• Schistosome infection induces significant behavioral and cognitive alterations in mice.
• The study highlights the complex interplay between helminth infection, host behavior, and gut microbiome dynamics.
• Findings contribute to understanding the impact of parasitic infections on host health and may inform future global health strategies.