[Development of Flexible Cognitive Functions Supporting Human Sociality]

The development of human species-specific flexible cognitive and executive functions, particularly emotional control, determines lifelong mental and physical health. In this context, infancy and early childhood are sensitive periods, during which the environment dramatically alters the brain and gut. Since brain development related to emotional control is influenced by the gut microbiota, the development of interventional support methods from the perspective of brain-gut-gut microbiota interactions from an early age in life will lead to the creation of effective medical approaches that can prevent and alleviate future mental and physical disorders.