Gut Bacteria Linked to Depression Identified
https://neurosciencenews.com/depression-gut-bacteria-10685/
Depression is a mental disorder affecting how one thinks, feels, acts, and it therefore affects their daily life. It can be identified by a loss or lack of pleasurable experiences and activities, and often includes a feeling of worthlessness. A newly published study from Neuroscience News has identified two types of gut bacteria, Coprococcus and Dialister, that are found to be weak in people with depression regardless of use of antidepressants. These scientists are able to provide evidence that a wide range of human gut microbiota can produce neuroactive compounds, in which a couple of them lead to depression. The scientists looked at fecal samples, to investigate its microbiome properties, from individuals diagnosed with depression. They were able to classify distinct groups of microorganisms that are somehow corresponding with mental health. For example, it was found that Butyrate-producing Faecalibacterium and Coprococcus bacteria were correlated with higher quality of life indicators throughout majority of individuals. Although there is more research available including animals on this topic, these results can directly help advance forthcoming human gut microbiota and brain connection research.
In class, we learned about the toxins in our diet, and how it may lead to infections killing off good bacteria. This is the perfect example, because a “good bacteria” such as the Coprococcus bacteria, correlated with feelings of higher quality of life, is found to be depleted in individuals with depression. Conditions of poor diet, along with stress factors, can lead to intestinal impermeability, aka “leaky gut”. Leaky gut syndrome is when the gut barrier is weakened, allowing bigger particles into the blood stream. Once these foreign substances are released into the blood stream, the immune system responds to them as a threat and sends an inflammatory response. Long-term stress causes exhaustion of the immune system, eventually causing it to attack itself into autoimmunity. It often does not appear along with other gut symptoms, but may show up as problems as diverse as depression, brain fog, skin problems, metabolic problems, allergies, asthma…etc. If left untreated, autoimmune disease may progressively worsen or lead to another one.
Depression is a mental disorder affecting how one thinks, feels, acts, and it therefore affects their daily life. It can be identified by a loss or lack of pleasurable experiences and activities, and often includes a feeling of worthlessness. A newly published study from Neuroscience News has identified two types of gut bacteria, Coprococcus and Dialister, that are found to be weak in people with depression regardless of use of antidepressants. These scientists are able to provide evidence that a wide range of human gut microbiota can produce neuroactive compounds, in which a couple of them lead to depression. The scientists looked at fecal samples, to investigate its microbiome properties, from individuals diagnosed with depression. They were able to classify distinct groups of microorganisms that are somehow corresponding with mental health. For example, it was found that Butyrate-producing Faecalibacterium and Coprococcus bacteria were correlated with higher quality of life indicators throughout majority of individuals. Although there is more research available including animals on this topic, these results can directly help advance forthcoming human gut microbiota and brain connection research.
In class, we learned about the toxins in our diet, and how it may lead to infections killing off good bacteria. This is the perfect example, because a “good bacteria” such as the Coprococcus bacteria, correlated with feelings of higher quality of life, is found to be depleted in individuals with depression. Conditions of poor diet, along with stress factors, can lead to intestinal impermeability, aka “leaky gut”. Leaky gut syndrome is when the gut barrier is weakened, allowing bigger particles into the blood stream. Once these foreign substances are released into the blood stream, the immune system responds to them as a threat and sends an inflammatory response. Long-term stress causes exhaustion of the immune system, eventually causing it to attack itself into autoimmunity. It often does not appear along with other gut symptoms, but may show up as problems as diverse as depression, brain fog, skin problems, metabolic problems, allergies, asthma…etc. If left untreated, autoimmune disease may progressively worsen or lead to another one.
The link between the gut microbiome and the rest of the body, including the brain, is an incredibly interesting scientific finding. In my Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology course, we collected stool samples from various animals and pulled out the DNA from them which allowed us to determine the health of the animal and any latent diseases they may be carrying. It is a procedure that is fairly easy to do and is something that can bring high yield results to the scientific community. While doing this in humans cannot exactly determine one's susceptibility to mental disorders, it can demonstrate the overall health of a person which could then be linked to their vulnerability for disorders such as depression. Similarly, there is a large genetic component to the development of neurological and psychiatric disorders. If this DNA were able to be isolated within the stool samples, an estimate of susceptibility could be determined. Related to this research, another practice that has been recently used is fecal transplant. In this, the fecal matter of one person will be taken and put in another to promote the growth of healthy bacteria. It would be interesting to observe the mental changes in someone after they have gone through a transplant such as this. While this practice is mainly used for those who have recurrent C. difficile colitis, there could end up being a high yield of results in mental health in relation to this procedure. The gut microbiome is a great indicator for overall health and if by manipulating it, scientists and doctors could help those with mental disorders, this would be a scientific breakthrough.
ReplyDeleteSince we learned in class that 80% of serotonin is produced and stored in the gut it and low levels of serotonin can lead to depression. It would make sense that there would be something in the gut that can lead to depression. I also took a Cell and genetics class and we took stool samples from two different animals and extracted DNA to look at the different genes. However due to a lab mishap, we were unable to go fully into looking at any genes that the animal had. But had we been able to finish the study, it would have been interesting to see how much of the bacteria in the gut affected the animal.
ReplyDeleteIn class we learned that a person's gut has up to 100 trillion bacteria, which is disgusting to think about. This is a reason why we need to be careful about what we put into our body (i.e. food). We do not want to disrupt the function of the gut-bacteria system. It also makes sense why some people with depression experience stomach issues because the majority of serotonin is present in the gut. Furthermore, the gut has 10 times more bacteria than all cells in the body.
ReplyDeleteDepression is a widespread problem in our country and we learned in class that over 10 % of the US population is on antidepressants. After learning about an irritated gut is linked to depression due to an overload of bad bacteria in the gut and the leakage of food particles into the bloodstream that get attacked by the immune system, it makes sense as to how important a healthy diet is to good mental health. In a documentary I recently watched called, "What The Health", researchers focused on how detrimental meat and dairy products are for ones health. They found that the food you eat determines what kind of bacteria lives in your gut, specifically mentioning the bacteria found in red meats that are proven to harm the guts health. So by cutting out certain foods that are the root of the increase of bad microbes in the gut could fix issues such as depression .
ReplyDeleteIn my abnormal psychology class we learned about different medications that people who have depression could take. Not once did we learn that the composition of the gut could influence depression levels. To me that is quite interesting because many people, myself included, do not like to take pills for everything. I would rather find a lifestyle change or a natural way to help my body. If just changing your diet could help with depression or any other mental health issue then I think researchers should spend a lot more time researching gut bacteria.
ReplyDeleteAn article I found by Medical News Today (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324846.php) touches on the use of CBD (Cannabidiol), a natural compound found in plants that has potential health benefits including treating depression. Unlike cannabis, CBD does not result in a high or feelings of euphoria. CBD was found to have a positive interaction with serotonin receptors in the brain (a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, happiness, and anxiety). Low levels of serotonin can be linked to depression. The natural compound CBD helped to keep serotonin levels balanced. Studies also showed that CBD showed anti-stress and antidepressant activity in animal models. The compound was found to have worked without activating the brain's endocannabinoid receptors, possibly indicating less of a risk of CBD becoming addictive in users. Side effects usually do not appear, although, everyone is different. Those who may be sensitive to the compounds in CBD may experience changes in weight, fatigue, and diarrhea. Currently, CBD is gaining popularity as an alternative medicine. As with any new substance being discovered and used by the human population, further research and studies must be conducted to ensure that the substance is safe and effective.
ReplyDeleteWe learned in class that gut bacteria has a major impact on human health, and that bacteria in the gut favor certain foods. By figuring out which specific bacteria in our gut do what, we will be able to figure out what types of foods, but more specifically chemicals that certain bacteria need to survive. This information will help the FDA figure out what chemicals should and should not be legally used and in what capacity they can use them by gaining a better understanding on how they effect the human body namely the chemicals that are put on/in processed foods.
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