The new Psychology research says that Microorganisms
in your stomach may have a permanent effect on your psychology. In recent studies
scientists Jane Foster and John Bienenstock of McMaster University in Ontario
and John Cryan of University College Cork have concluded that the composition
of bacteria in live mouse guts actively influences development and behavior.
The studies showed that mice whose gut-bacteria were eradicated developed
significantly different behavior than their counterparts whose guts contained
natural levels of bacteria.
The mechanisms by which bacteria change the behavior of
the mice is as of yet unknown, however what is known is that the presence of
the bacteria influences the expression of genes in both developing and grown
mice. In the early days following the birth of a mouse, its gut will normally
be invaded by a plethora of microbes most of which are harmless and indeed can
even serve as aids in digestion and other bodily processes. The bacterial
cultures found in the gut are often referred to as an "organ within an
organ", showing the importance that is placed on these microbes for our
physical well being. By testing the behavior of mice with and without bacteria
in their intestines researchers were able to observe the effect microbes have
on animal behavior.
Interestingly, it was found that the absence of certain
bacteria normally present in mice corresponded with an increase in the
serotonin levels in the mice's brains. This discovery was made by John Cryan
and his team of researchers at University College Cork and could have a far
reaching impact on the psychiatric treatment of depression. Maintaining
serotonin levels in the brain is the de facto method of treating clinical
depression in many adults. Serotonin is a brain chemical that is responsible
for making animals feel happy and content, and low levels of the chemical are a
symptom of clinical depression. It is conceivable that individuals with
depression or bipolar disorder could in the future be given a form of
pro-biotic to treat their symptoms. Indeed, on a broader level the fact that
microbes influence animal behavior and development could have consequences for
psychiatric treatment for many other diseases besides depression.
There is a darker side to these findings, however. In a
study released in August this year it was revealed that the parasite T.
Gondii–postulated to be present in approximately a third of the world's
population–is linked to increased incidences of suicide attempts in individuals
diagnosed with bipolar disorder. People who tested positive for the parasite
were to be placed higher on a "danger scale" corresponding to
incidences of manic depression and suicide, according to a study conducted by
Lena Brundin and her team at Michigan State University. In fact, bipolar individuals
infected with T. Gondii were found to be seven times more likely to attempt
suicide.
Inflammation of the brain has been shown to be the main
cause of depression, and the chemistry of the brain changes as a result of this
inflammation. T. Gondii can cause inflammation of the brain, and it is because
of this that it is possible the parasite could be responsible for many
instances of depression or suicide.
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