Cross-Talk Between Human Gut Bacteria and Brain

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MBombardier
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Cross-Talk Between Human Gut Bacteria and Brain

Post by MBombardier »

The study's results show that genes linked to learning and memory are altered in germ-free mice and, in particular, they are altered in one of the key brain regions for learning and memory -- the hippocampus.

"The take-home message is that gut bacteria influences anxiety-like behavior through alterations in the way the brain is wired," said Foster.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 140247.htm
Marliss Bombardier

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tex
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Post by tex »

Marliss,

Thanks for the link. You might be interested in some of the earlier research with germ-free mice that led to this fascinating discovery. The story at the link below was written a couple of years ago:

If a bacteria-free mouse eats, food passes right through the intestine, significantly undigested.
So without bacteria, the mouse can eat and eat and eat and never gain weight. But when Gordon exposed the mice to "this big, bad, dirty world," as Gibson calls it, the mice suddenly turned their food into more calories and gained weight. So bacteria matter. Apparently, they can digest food far more efficiently.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... d=95900616

So my question is, why hasn't someone come up with an effective diet program, that would work for anyone and everyone, using antibiotics to cause rapid weight loss? :monkey:

Tex
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It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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sarkin
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Post by sarkin »

Tex,

Hah! On the other hand, perhaps there's a great marketing opportunity for the 'drug-induced colitis' you were proposing as part of training for GI specialists. People *think* they would sign up to be miserable in order to lose weight. My guess is, most wouldn't last a day - not even for the holy grail of weight loss by bathingsuit season ;)

I know *I* wouldn't!

Marliss, that is fascinating. I wonder whether the sort of bacteria we're lucky or unlucky enough to collect has an impact on how long it takes for MC symptoms to show up, or on the severity once symptoms occur.

Sara
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Post by Gabes-Apg »

somewhere along the line i think my gut and brain talk completely different languages......
Gabes Ryan

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tex
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Post by tex »

:lol: :lol:

Tex
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It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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sarkin
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Post by sarkin »

Gabes, this was my first good giggle before breakfast this morning - thanks!
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