If you ’ve ever feel like your stomach is controlling your mind , then you could be on to something , as researcher have now revealed what seem to be a direct connection between the gut and brain excitation . According to a new study in the journalNature Medicine , the food for thought we consume is go down by the bacteria in our digestive nerve tract to develop small molecules that then affect our brain cells , particularly those postulate in stave in off mental degradation .
The results of this subject area should provide some serious intellectual nourishment for thought – literally – to scientist wait for new ways to regale cognitive diseases . For instance , the research provides evidence that the ability to use sure molecules to promote healthy brain function is reduce in people who brook frommultiple sclerosis(MS ) , clear up a possible new footpath for treatment .
MS is induce by a malfunction in a type of brain mobile phone call astrocyte . The most abundant prison cell type in the central spooky arrangement ( CNS ) , astrocytes dally a major function in regulating a range of key brain functions . However , in MS , astrocyte really bend against the brain , attacking and destroying a substance called myelin , which insulate and protects neurons , ensuring the effective transmission of impulse around the CNS .
Previous studies have shown that astrocyte are stimulated to perform certain key functions by a signaling protein calledaryl hydrocarbon receptor(AHR ) . In fussy , AHR causes the cellphone to deoxidize firing in the mentality . As such , the researchers decide to inquire how rig AHR levels pretend the asperity of cognitive diseases .
know that an amino Lucy in the sky with diamonds calledtryptophan – which is hold in foods such as poultry and eggs – is broken down by certain gut bacteria to produce molecules that are adequate to of bind to AHR , the subject area authors began by change levels of tryptophan in the diets of mouse that had been breed to stomach from an MS - like condition .
After receiving a tryptophan - eat dieting , the mice suffered an escalation of their cognitive decline , which was then overrule by re - enclose tryptophan to their dieting . To confirm that this central amino acid bring about this effect by interacting with AHR , the researchers repeat the experiment with mice that had been genetically engineered to lack AHR , incur that tryptophan was powerless to meliorate the condition of these computer mouse .
comment on these consequence , study conscientious objector - author Francisco Quintanastatedthat “ for the first meter , we ’ve been able to identify that solid food has some sort of outside control condition over central anxious system firing . ”
Furthermore , after conducting a genic analysis of multitude support from MS and comparing this to non - diseased person , the study authors let on that those who carry the condition miss sealed genetic trait necessary for AHR to stimulate astrocyte to do their job . Understanding how this vital mechanics is break up could supply a basis for the development of new therapy for the disorder .