The Gut Microbiota Is Involved in the Regulation of Cognitive Flexibility in Adolescent BALB/c Mice Exposed to Chronic Physical Stress and a High-Fat Diet
2024

Gut Microbiota and Cognitive Flexibility in Mice

Sample size: 47 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): González Cristian Yuriana, Estrada José Antonio, Oros-Pantoja Rigoberto, Colín-Ferreyra María del Carmen, Benitez-Arciniega Alejandra Donaji, Soto Piña Alexandra Estela, Aguirre-Garrido José Félix

Primary Institution: School of Medicine, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico

Hypothesis

Chronic physical stress and a high-fat diet affect cognitive flexibility and gut microbiota composition in adolescent BALB/c mice.

Conclusion

Chronic physical stress and a high-fat diet impair cognitive flexibility and alter the gut microbiota in adolescent mice.

Supporting Evidence

  • Chronic stress and high-fat diets were shown to reduce cognitive flexibility in both male and female mice.
  • Significant changes in gut microbiota composition were observed in response to stress and diet.
  • Predictive functional analysis indicated alterations in metabolic pathways related to lipid and amino acid metabolism.

Takeaway

This study found that stress and unhealthy eating can make mice less flexible in their thinking and change the bacteria in their guts.

Methodology

The study involved 47 BALB/c mice subjected to chronic physical stress and a high-fat diet, with cognitive flexibility assessed using the Attentional Set-Shifting Test.

Limitations

The study did not measure plasma concentrations of lipids, enzymes, or neurohormones that could relate to the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Participant Demographics

30 male and 17 female BALB/c mice, 10 weeks of age.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.0001

Statistical Significance

p<0.0001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3390/microorganisms12122542

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