Researchers at the University College Cork have uncovered a compelling link between the gut microbiome and social anxiety disorder (SAD). The gut microbiome, comprising bacteria and organisms residing in the gastrointestinal system, has long been associated with various health aspects. Previous studies established differences in the gut microbiomes of individuals with SAD compared to their healthy counterparts.
Building upon this, scientists conducted experiments transplanting gut microbes from people with SAD into laboratory mice. After administering electric shocks to induce social fear, the mice exhibited distinct behavioural patterns. Unlike their counterparts with microbes from healthy individuals, mice with SAD-associated microbes failed to recover their curiosity towards strangers, remaining socially apprehensive.
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Professor John Cryan, a co-author of the research, emphasised the significance of maintaining a healthy gut flora for optimal social brain function. The study's results suggest a causal relationship between the gut microbiome and heightened social fear responses in individuals with SAD.
Notably, the mice receiving SAD-associated microbes displayed altered levels of three bacterial species in their faeces. Moreover, changes in hormones such as oxytocin, crucial for bonding, and variations in the immune system were observed. Cryan highlighted the potential for therapeutic interventions, including dietary modifications to alter the microbiome.
The findings open new avenues for developing treatments for SAD, proposing dietary strategies that incorporate increased fibre and fermented foods. As Prof. Cryan suggests, nurturing our gut microbes, both in development and adulthood, may be a key aspect of maintaining a healthy social brain.
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