Mapping the impact of gut bacteria on brain and behaviour
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Mapping the impact of gut bacteria on brain and behaviour through the lens of GABA (GutBrainGABA)
IRAS ID
280891
Contact name
Bhismadev Chakrabarti
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Reading
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 0 months, 31 days
Research summary
We will explore how differences in brain, behaviour and personality traits in a sample of healthy white males are associated with the microorganisms inhabiting our gastrointestinal tracts (gut microbiota), and how they are influenced by a dietary intervention containing micro-organisms (probiotics), focusing on GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid) neurotransmission.
Abnormalities of microbiota composition have been identified in metabolic disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease and obesity, and psychiatric conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Testing whether the composition of gut microbiota at baseline and after a dietary intervention influences brain and behaviour will enrich the discussion about the use of dietary interventions to enhance mental well-being.
The current project aims to evaluate the relationship between gut microbiota, brain and behaviour in humans, focusing on GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid) neurotransmission and testing the impact of a dietary intervention with probiotics.
We will recruit right-handed Caucasian/White males without any physical, developmental or psychiatric condition, aged 18 to 50, and brought up in the UK/other European country. The reason for these criteria is that several factors, including age, gender, ethnicity can have a significant impact on gut microbial composition, therefore limiting the statistical power of our study.
The project will be conducted at the University of Reading and will include one observational (single-visit) and one interventional cross-over (multi-visit) study. Eligible individuals will be invited to choose to take part in either the observational or interventional cross-over study, and will be asked to provide faecal, urine and blood sample and undergo a behavioural (computer-based tasks and questionnaires) and neuroimaging battery. Participants enrolled on the interventional cross-over study will receive a dietary intervention or probiotic and placebo, and will be asked to provide the same samples and unergo the same testing battery at four study appointments.
REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
23/WA/0042
Date of REC Opinion
8 Feb 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion