Our lab has both preclinical and clinical research streams to understand the effects of stress on the relationships between the gut microbiota, the brain, and mental health.

MICROBIOTA-BRAIN CROSSTALK AND STRESS VULNERABILITY

Our lab has shown that severity of social avoidance behaviors (a feature of depression) after chronic social stress was associated with low abundance of bacteria with anti-inflammatory properties. Some of the bacterial changes were also linked to brain expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our current research aims at identifying targeted inflammatory signaling pathways by which gut bacteria signal to the brain under stress and investigating how changes to these signaling routes may promote susceptibility versus resilience to the depressive effects of social stressors.

PRENATAL stress,  development OF THE GUT MICROBIOTA-IMMUNE-BRAIN AXIS AND MENTAL HEALTH

Early life environments can influence how microorganisms colonize the gastrointestinal tract (ultimately forming the gut microbiota) as well as the development of the immune system and of the brain. We believe that the establishment of aberrant connections between gut bacteria and the brain may be a key mechanism by which early life experiences promote vulnerability to mood and anxiety disorders. Preliminary findings from our lab show sex differences in inflammatory activation patterns along the gut-brain axis in prenatally stressed offspring. We are currently identifying gut bacteria that could modulate these outcomes and predispose to later life mental illnesses.

microbiota-targeted interventions, brain function, AND MENTAL HEALTH

Several trials support a role for microbiota-targeted interventions in the normalization of brain processes related to stress responses and in mood improvements. The mechanisms by which these interventions modulate the microbiota–gut–brain axis and improve mental health remain uncertain. We are investigating whether the behavioral and inflammatory effects of chronic social stress may be modulated by probiotics, prebiotics or other nutritional interventions. We are also examining the mechanisms by which these interventions exert their effects.

CHILDHOOD trauma, the gut microbiota, and MENTAL HEALTH

Childhood adversity may increase the risk for depression and anxiety. We believe that these effects may operate by a disruption of microbiota colonization of the gut, promoting inflammation and altering brain development. We are currently investigating whether individuals with a history of childhood trauma have distinct patterns of fecal microbiota and of circulating inflammatory factors and if these patterns are related to the presence and severity of mood and anxiety symptoms. We are also examining if a healthy diet (e.g., fermented foods, legumes, polyphenols) may limit gut microbiota perturbations and inflammation and improve mental health.