Anxiety Linked to Gut Microbial Metabolite in Mouse and Human
A study comparing mice engineered to synthesize the metabolite 4EPS, to mice that cannot, shows the metabolite passes into the brain and dampens maturation of oligodendrocytes, thinning the myelin insulation around axons. This results in anxiety-like behavior in mice that can be reversed by drugs that promote myelination. In an accompanying human study, the authors show a drug that adsorbs 4EPS from the human gut alleviates anxiety in adolescents with autism.
Source: genengnews.com