Intestinal microorganisms prescribe in behavior

2011/03/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Mikrobiologia
• Anatomia/Fisiologia

According to a study conducted on the mouse, the key to being brave or being slowed down can be in intestinal microorganisms. This has been deducted by researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.

The first evidence of relationship between the intestinal flora and the brain was carried out five years ago. In fact, they showed that intestinal microorganisms influence the activity of a gene that is important in the production of neurotransmitter serotonin.

Common mice and mice that do not contain microorganism in the intestine have now been compared, focusing on brain behavior and activity. And they have seen that the first are more daring than normal ones and have a lower tendency to anxiety. In addition, the activity of anxiety related genes is lower in them, eliminating earlier neurotransmitters related to anxiety such as noradrenaline and dopamine.

Researchers have also studied other details and found that the influence of intestinal microorganisms begins before the birth of mice. As they have explained, during pregnancy, intestinal microorganisms secrete molecules that influence the brain development of the fetus.

The relationship between the brain and intestinal microorganisms is also being studied in people. According to some experts, the results of these research can be very interesting to look for new ways to treat mental illnesses.