Reduced anxiety‐like behavior and central neurochemical change in germ‐free mice

Background  There is increasing interest in the gut‐brain axis and the role intestinal microbiota may play in communication between these two systems. Acquisition of intestinal microbiota in the immediate postnatal period has a defining impact on the development and function of the gastrointestinal,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neurogastroenterology and motility 2011-03, Vol.23 (3), p.255-e119
Main Authors: Neufeld, K. M., Kang, N., Bienenstock, J., Foster, J. A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amygdala
Animals
Anxiety
anxiety‐like behavior
Anxiolytics
Behavior, Animal - physiology
Brain - anatomy & histology
Brain - physiology
Brain Chemistry
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor
Communication
Corticosterone - blood
Digestive tract
elevated plus maze
Female
Gastrointestinal Tract - microbiology
Gene Expression
Germ-Free Life
Glutamic acid receptors
gnotobiotic
Gnotobiotics
Granules
gut‐brain axis
Hippocampus
Humans
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - physiology
Intestinal microflora
Metagenome
Mice
Motor Activity - physiology
N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors
Neurotransmitter Agents - genetics
Neurotransmitter Agents - metabolism
Pituitary-Adrenal System - physiology
Receptors, Neurotransmitter - genetics
Receptors, Neurotransmitter - metabolism
Serotonin receptors
Specific pathogen free
Stress, Psychological
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Summary:Background  There is increasing interest in the gut‐brain axis and the role intestinal microbiota may play in communication between these two systems. Acquisition of intestinal microbiota in the immediate postnatal period has a defining impact on the development and function of the gastrointestinal, immune, neuroendocrine and metabolic systems. For example, the presence of gut microbiota regulates the set point for hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis activity. Methods  We investigated basal behavior of adult germ‐free (GF), Swiss Webster female mice in the elevated plus maze (EPM) and compared this to conventionally reared specific pathogen free (SPF) mice. Additionally, we measured brain mRNA expression of genes implicated in anxiety and stress‐reactivity. Key Results  Germ‐free mice, compared to SPF mice, exhibited basal behavior in the EPM that can be interpreted as anxiolytic. Altered GF behavior was accompanied by a decrease in the N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor subunit NR2B mRNA expression in the central amygdala, increased brain‐derived neurotrophic factor expression and decreased serotonin receptor 1A (5HT1A) expression in the dentate granule layer of the hippocampus. Conclusions & Inferences  We conclude that the presence or absence of conventional intestinal microbiota influences the development of behavior, and is accompanied by neurochemical changes in the brain.
ISSN:1350-1925
1365-2982
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2982.2010.01620.x