Growing up in a bubble: using germ-free animals to assess the influence of the gut microbiota on brain and behavior
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Published Version
Date
2016-02-23
Authors
Luczynski, Pauline
McVey Neufeld, Karen-Anne
Oriach, Clara Seira
Clarke, Gerard
Dinan, Timothy G.
Cryan, John F.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Oxford University Press
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Abstract
There is a growing recognition of the importance of the commensal intestinal microbiota in the development and later function of the central nervous system. Research using germ-free mice (mice raised without any exposure to microorganisms) has provided some of the most persuasive evidence for a role of these bacteria in gut-brain signalling. Key findings show that the microbiota is necessary for normal stress responsivity, anxiety-like behaviors, sociability, and cognition. Furthermore, the microbiota maintains central nervous system homeostasis by regulating immune function and blood brain barrier integrity. Studies have also found that the gut microbiota influences neurotransmitter, synaptic, and neurotrophic signalling systems and neurogenesis. The principle advantage of the germ-free mouse model is in proof-of-principle studies and that a complete microbiota or defined consortiums of bacteria can be introduced at various developmental time points. However, a germ-free upbringing can induce permanent neurodevelopmental deficits that may deem the model unsuitable for specific scientific queries that do not involve early-life microbial deficiency. As such, alternatives and complementary strategies to the germ-free model are warranted and include antibiotic treatment to create microbiota-deficient animals at distinct time points across the lifespan. Increasing our understanding of the impact of the gut microbiota on brain and behavior has the potential to inform novel management strategies for stress-related gastrointestinal and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Keywords
Microbiota-gut-brain axis , Germ-free mouse , Stress response , Social development , Cognitive dysfunction
Citation
LUCZYNSKI, P., MCVEY NEUFELD, K.-A., ORIACH, C. S., CLARKE, G., DINAN, T. G. and CRYAN, J. F. (2016) ‘Growing up in a bubble: using germ-free animals to assess the influence of the gut microbiota on brain and behavior’, International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 19(8), pp. 1-17. doi:10.1093/ijnp/pyw020