A gut feeling: Exploring the effects of probiotics on risk-taking behavior using TMS
Aline M Dantas1,2,3,4, Teresa Schuhmann1,4, Elisabeth Brüggen3,5,6,7
1Department of Cognitive Neurosciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
Abstract:
This study explores the impact of the gut-brain axis (GBA) on risk-taking through a 4-week, double-blinded, placebo-controlled probiotics protocol and the Maastricht Gambling Task (MGT). We used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC), a region thought to mediate GBA signals in risk-related decisions. Continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) targeted the VMPFC, with the superior parietal lobule (SPL) and sham as control conditions, applied before and after the probiotics/placebo intervention. Results show that probiotics significantly increased risky choices and response times in the MGT compared to placebo, without reducing choice optimality. VMPFC stimulation, independent of probiotics intake, also led to riskier choices when controlling for task repetition. The nonsignificant interaction between probiotics and VMPFC stimulation suggests that the VMPFC does not play a key functional role in the effects of probiotics on risk-taking behavior. These findings offer insights into GBA influences on human decision-making through probiotics.
Insights
Probiotics significantly increased risky choices and response times, impacting the gut-brain axis (GBA). However, ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) stimulation did not alter these probiotic-induced behavioral changes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Microbiology
Background:
- The gut-brain axis (GBA) is a bidirectional communication system linking the gut microbiota and the central nervous system.
- Understanding GBA's influence on decision-making, particularly risk-taking, is crucial for behavioral science.
- The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) is implicated in processing GBA signals related to risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of probiotics on risk-taking behavior via the gut-brain axis (GBA).
- To examine the role of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) in mediating GBA-related risk-taking.
- To assess the combined effects of probiotics and VMPFC neuromodulation on decision-making.
Main Methods:
- A 4-week double-blinded, placebo-controlled probiotic intervention.
- The Maastricht Gambling Task (MGT) to assess risk-taking behavior.
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), specifically continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS), targeting the VMPFC, superior parietal lobule (SPL), and sham conditions.
Main Results:
- Probiotics significantly increased risky choices and response times in the MGT compared to placebo.
- VMPFC stimulation independently promoted riskier choices, irrespective of probiotic intake.
- No significant interaction was found between probiotics and VMPFC stimulation, suggesting the VMPFC is not a key mediator of probiotic effects on risk-taking.
Conclusions:
- Probiotics can modulate human risk-taking behavior through the gut-brain axis (GBA).
- The VMPFC may not be the primary neural substrate through which probiotics influence risk-related decisions.
- These findings highlight the complex interplay between gut microbiota and brain function in shaping decision-making processes.
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