New research has found a relationship between the intestinal microbiome (a set of microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi… and their genetic interactions) and the development and function of children’s brains. The authors of the study are scientists from Wellesley College (USA) and other institutions and have shown, specifically, that differences in the intestinal microbiome are associated with general cognitive function and brain structure in healthy children, as revealed by the results that have been published in Science Advances.
The study is part of the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program and has analyzed this relationship in 381 healthy children, including all of them in the RESONANCE cohort in Providence, Rhode Island, providing novel insights into early childhood development. . “This research in a single cohort offers interesting hypotheses that we now want to confirm by testing in additional settings,” said Vanja Klepac-Ceraj, lead author of the work.
Importance of intestinal health in early childhood
Research shows a connection between the gut microbiome and cognitive function in children. Specific gut microbial species, such as Alistipes obesi and Blautia wexlerae, are associated with higher cognitive functions. On the contrary, species such as Ruminococcus gnavus are more common in children with lower cognitive scores. The study highlights the role played by microbial genes, particularly those involved in the metabolism of neuroactive compounds such as short-chain fatty acids, in influencing cognitive abilities.
Intestinal microbial species such as Ruminococcus gnavus are more common in children with lower cognitive scores
Advanced machine learning models demonstrated the ability of gut microbial profiles to predict variations in brain structure and cognitive performance, highlighting the potential for early detection and intervention strategies in childhood neurological development. This study represents an important first step in understanding the relationship between the gut biome and cognitive function in children.
This research is the first to examine the gut-brain-microbiome axis in normal neurocognitive development in healthy children. The integration of multivariate linear and machine learning models to analyze the complex relationship between gut microbiome profiles and neurodevelopment is innovative. These models not only established the association of gut microbiota with cognitive function, but also predicted future cognitive performance based on early-life microbial profiles.
The findings open interesting avenues for the development of biomarkers for neurocognition and brain development. This research could lead to early detection of developmental problems and interventions, which could mitigate long-term cognitive challenges. Highlights the importance of intestinal health in early childhood, suggesting dietary and lifestyle recommendations for parents and healthcare professionals caring for the pediatric population. Furthermore, this study marks the first step in formulating hypotheses that can be tested experimentally and in animal models.
