355 The Gut Microbiome and its Influence on Cognition and Mental Health: from Zebrafish to Horses

Abstract The microbial communities colonizing the gastrointestinal tract of vertebrate hosts exist in symbiosis with their host, providing a wide array of functions that confer benefit to the collective superorganism. Intuitively, disruptions in microbial community structure can lead to deleterious host effects, and multiple associations have been made between gut inflammatory conditions and dysbiosis. Considering the myriad mechanisms of bi-directional communication between the gut microbiota and host autonomic nervous system, it is not surprising that the gut microbiota is now implicated as a factor in several behavioral, cognitive, and neuro-psychological conditions affecting people. While gut microbiomes have co-evolved with (and are very specific for) their cognate hosts, the functions provided by the communities are highly conserved, suggesting that the same microbiome-induced effects observed in people may also affect companion animals like horses. This presentation will show data generated in a range of host species including zebrafish, rodents, and horses, demonstrating the influence of the gut-brain axis on behavior, and physical and mental health. The objective is to provide listeners a new appreciation for the physiological, and perhaps clinical, influence of the gut microbiota, and implications for clinical practices such as antibiotic usage and feeding changes.

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The Influence of Human–Animal Interactions on Mental and Physical Health during the First COVID-19 Lockdown Phase in the U.K.: A Qualitative Exploration

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18030976 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 976 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Emily Shoesmith ◽

Lion Shahab ◽

Dimitra Kale ◽

Daniel S. Mills ◽

Catherine Reeve ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Companion Animals ◽

Free Text ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Human Animal ◽

Human Animal Interaction ◽

Animal Interaction ◽

The Impact

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presents an opportunity to explore the role of animals as sources of emotional and physical support during a period when most of the population is experiencing social and environmental challenges. We investigated how companion animal owners perceived the influence of human–animal interaction on their physical and mental health during the first COVID-19 lockdown phase in the U.K., and what concerns they had regarding their animals at this time. We also explored the impact of participants’ interaction with non-companion animals during this phase. A cross-sectional online survey of U.K. residents aged over 18 was conducted between April and June 2020. The final item of the survey invited open-ended free-text responses, allowing participants to describe any experiences and/or perceptions of their human–animal relationships during the COVID-19 lockdown phase. A qualitative thematic analysis of responses was undertaken. Four main themes related to the following aspects of human–animal interactions during the COVID-19 lockdown phase were identified: the positive impact of animal ownership during the COVID-19 lockdown (e.g., amelioration of wellbeing and mental health), concerns relating to animal ownership during the COVID-19 lockdown (e.g., concerns over animals carrying the COVID-19 virus), grief and loss of an animal during the COVID-19 lockdown and the impact of engaging with non-companion animals during the COVID-19 lockdown. The findings complement and extend previous insights into the impact of human–animal interaction with both companion and non-companion animals. They also highlight the challenges of caring for an animal during the lockdown phase and indicate the need to consider the development of further targeted support strategies, such as “day care” for the companion animals of key workers in this context.

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MODERATE INTENSITY PHYSICAL EXERCISE: PSYCHONEUROIMMUNOLOGICAL ASPECTS

Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte ◽

10.1590/1517-869220182405185533 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (5) ◽

pp. 395-398

Author(s):

Eduardo Vignoto Fernandes ◽

Celio Estanislau ◽

Emerson José Venancio

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Nervous System ◽

Immune System ◽

Physical Exercise ◽

Chronic Stress ◽

Expert Opinion ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Level Of Evidence

ABSTRACT The literature presents several instances of interaction between the nervous system (NS) and the immune system (IS). These interactions are promoted by several molecules, such as cytokines and hormones, with modulating action for both the NS and IS. In this sense, the two systems may influence each other: changes in behavior may be accompanied by alterations in the IS (e.g., immunosuppression) and immunological disorders, such as infections, may modulate behavior (e.g., anxiety and depression). Considering that chronic stress, in addition to affecting behavior, also modulates the IS and that there is evidence that moderate intensity physical exercise (PE) protects physical and mental health, the objective of this review is to explore the influence of moderate-intensity PE on behavior and immunity. Level of Evidence V; Expert opinion.

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Ageing and Mental Health

Research Anthology on Mental Health Stigma, Education, and Treatment ◽

10.4018/978-1-7998-8544-3.ch033 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 549-572

Author(s):

Neelam Verma

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Old Age ◽

Later Life ◽

The Elderly ◽

Psychological Services ◽

Current Status ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Psychological Conditions ◽

Treatment Services ◽

Research Findings

Estimated research findings suggest that almost two-thirds of adults with psychiatric conditions do not receive the required treatment services. This chapter enables readers to understand various aspects of ageing, how physical and mental health aspects are correlated, and which mental health conditions are most common in later life. The chapter also discusses major models of mental health in the context of ageing. Major psychiatric and psychological conditions that are most common in old age are outlined along with a major milestone of old age (i.e., retirement: a major lifestyle change that pushes older people towards psychological problems and adjustment issues with a new phase of life). A brief description is presented on the current status of psychiatric and psychological services for mental health issues of the elderly. The chapter concludes by summarizing the contents of discussed areas. Studies are presented throughout the chapter to accompany and enrich the discussion and validate the chapter content.

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Some Experiments in the Chemistry of Normal Sleep

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.112.485.391 ◽

1966 ◽

Vol 112 (485) ◽

pp. 391-399 ◽

Cited By ~ 68

Author(s):

Ian Oswald ◽

G. W. Ashcroft ◽

R. J. Berger ◽

D. Eccleston ◽

J. I. Evans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Central Nervous System ◽

Nervous System ◽

Brain Stem ◽

Eye Movement ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Reticular Activating System ◽

Normal Sleep ◽

Biochemical State ◽

The Brain

Sleep is essential for physical and mental health. In the last 15 years there has grown up the concept of the brain stem reticular activating system. Electroencephalographic studies have shown two qualitatively different and alternating kinds of sleep, the orthodox (“slow wave”, or “forebrain“) and the paradoxical (”hind-brain“, “rapid eye movement”, “activated“, or “dreaming”) phases (Akert et al., 1965). It may be predicted that in the next decade attention will turn increasingly to the chemical basis of sleep. If a man is deprived of sleep for 100 hours, it is extremely difficult to keep him awake and one may suppose that an abnormal biochemical state exists within his central nervous system.

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The gut microbiota and mental health

Journal of Education, Health and Sport ◽

10.12775/jehs.2021.11.09.037 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 304-309

Author(s):

Sara Moqbil ◽

Sylwiusz Niedobylski ◽

Katarzyna Laszczak ◽

Konrad Warchoł ◽

Eryk Mikos

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Nervous System ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Neuropsychiatric Disorders ◽

Well Being ◽

Psychiatric Research ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

Important Field ◽

System 1

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE Recent studies have shown that changes in the microbiome, probiotic and antibiotic supplementation, can significantly modulate various forms of neuropsychiatric disorders - such as depression, anxiety and stress-related disorders. There is growing body of evidence pointing to a bidirectional correlation along the brain-gut microbiota line. This axis is connected through endocrine, immune and neuronal pathways. The nerves that make up the enteric nervous system transmit modifications occurring in the gastrointestinal tract and through the vagus nerve to the central nervous system (1). The main purpose of this review is to update recent information on the correlation between the gut microbiota and mental health. STATE OF KNOWLEDGE Interactions between the gastrointestinal system and brain function have become an important field of psychiatric research in recent years. Probiotics are thought to be a potentially valuable player in the treatment of many neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the role of specific gut microbiota species in the development of these disorders remains unclear. CONCLUSIONS Increasing knowledge of the correlation between gut microbiota and mental health may improve the quality of treatment for patients with neuropsychiatric conditions. Further research on larger groups is needed to assess whether probiotics can modify altered psychological well-being and be integrated into current, conventional treatments.

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Ageing and Mental Health

Handbook of Research on Geriatric Health, Treatment, and Care - Advances in Medical Diagnosis, Treatment, and Care ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-3480-8.ch021 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 369-392

Author(s):

Neelam Verma

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Old Age ◽

Later Life ◽

The Elderly ◽

Psychological Services ◽

Current Status ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Psychological Conditions ◽

Treatment Services ◽

Research Findings

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Autonomic dysfunction in autism: The roles of anxiety, depression, and stress

Autism ◽

10.1177/1362361320985658 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 136236132098565

Author(s):

Emily C Taylor ◽

Lucy A Livingston ◽

Mitchell J Callan ◽

Chris Ashwin ◽

Punit Shah

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Nervous System ◽

Autonomic Nervous System ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Physical Symptoms ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Autonomic Nervous ◽

Autistic Adults ◽

Anxiety Depression

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with atypical autonomic nervous system (ANS) function. However, little is known about this relationship, while accounting for co-occurring mental health conditions (e.g. anxiety) that are also associated with ANS dysfunction. In addition, research on the ANS has typically involved physiological measurements, without using more clinically meaningful measures of ANS dysfunction, such as the self-reported frequency of ANS-related physical health symptoms. Furthermore, very little is known about ANS function in autistic adults, given that previous research has focused on ANS dysfunction in children with ASD. Addressing these gaps in the literature, we compared ANS function in adults with(out) ASD (Study 1). Although autistic adults reported greater ANS dysfunction than matched neurotypical controls, this difference was not significant after controlling for anxiety and depression. Similarly, in a large nonclinical sample (Study 2), we found that anxiety and stress mediated the relationship between autistic traits and ANS dysfunction. Together, we conclude that ANS dysfunction is not a feature of ASD per se, but instead attributable to the high levels of anxiety and stress in autistic adults. We discuss the clinical relevance of these findings for managing ANS dysfunction and other physical and mental health concerns in autistic adulthood. Lay abstract The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is responsible for the functioning of the heart, bladder, pupils and several other bodily functions. Therefore, when the ANS functions abnormally, individuals can experience a number of physical symptoms, including dizziness, abnormal sweating and digestive difficulties. Currently, it is unclear if autistic adults experience ANS dysfunction. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether autistic adults report more ANS-related physical symptoms, indicating greater ANS dysfunction, and whether this may be related to autism, or rather anxiety, depression, or stress. The findings suggest that ANS dysfunction, where found in autism, is due to co-occurring stress and anxiety. We therefore propose that treating stress and anxiety may be an effective way to ameliorate ANS-related health problems in autistic adults.

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