A child's early gut microbiome composition may predict the likelihood of developing symptoms of anxiety and depression in middle childhood. UCLA Health researchers came to this conclusion. The study was published in the journal Nature Communications (NatCom).
The researchers found that children whose gut microbiome contained more Clostridiales and Lachnospiraceae bacteria at age two were more likely to show anxiety, depressed mood and increased sensitivity at age seven.
According to lead study author Bridget Callahan, professor of psychology, the link between early microbiome composition and a child's emotional state is mediated by the activity of neural networks responsible for emotions.
"Our results suggest that early germline patterns may influence the formation of brain circuits involved in emotional regulation. This may explain why some children are more prone to anxiety and depression at school age,” explained Callahan.
The researchers analyzed data from the GUSTO (Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes) longitudinal project that follows children living in Singapore. At the age of two, stool samples were taken from 55 participants, at the age of six an MRI of the brain was performed, and at the age of seven and a half, parents were asked about the psycho-emotional state of their children.
A combined analysis showed that certain groups of microbes were associated with changes in communication between brain regions involved in emotion processing. These differences in functional brain connectivity have been associated with an increased risk of anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Similar bacterial groups, Clostridiales and Lachnospiraceae, have previously been linked to stress and depression in adults, as well as the effects of early psychological distress. According to Callahan, some members of these microbes may be particularly sensitive to stressors, making them potential biomarkers of risk for mental disorders.
Translation by Euromedia24.com
