Association between infant and toddler gut microbiota composition and later executive functioning

Studies indicate that alterations in gut microbiota composition (GMC) during the first 1,000 days of life are associated with neurodevelopment and further behavioral development. However, research on the associations between GMC and executive functions (EFs) in childhood is scarce. This study aims to improve the understanding of the biological processes underlying behavioral development by exploring the associations between GMC and EFs early in life.

Study population (n = 373) is part of the longitudinal FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study. GMC was analyzed using infant and toddler stool sample 16S rRNA sequencing and targeted and untargeted metabolomic assays. EF was assessed using the Spin the Pots and Snack Delay tasks at 2.5 years and the Spin the Pots task, Delay of Gratification task, EF Touch battery and BRIEF-2 questionnaire at 5 years.

Alpha diversity in infancy was negatively associated with preschool EF. Additionally, EFs differed between microbial groups based on dominant genera. Bacterial genera abundances were related to some EFs, but no associations were found between microbial metabolites and EF. This study is among the first to investigate associations between GMC and EF in childhood, a crucial developmental stage characterized by significant changes in both the brain and microbiota.