

Does The Microbiome Hold The Key To Treating Parkinson’s, Autism & Other Diseases? CalTech Microbiologist Dr. Sarkis Mazmazian on The Gut-Brain Axis
132 snips May 9, 2024
This week’s guest, Dr. Sarkis Mazmanian, is a microbiologist and professor at Caltech, specializing in the gut-brain axis. He discusses how gut microbes influence neurological health, linking them to conditions like Parkinson's and autism. The conversation dives into the malleability of the adult microbiome and the potential for microbiome-based therapeutics. Dr. Mazmanian highlights challenges in translating animal research to humans and the gut’s role in shaping behaviors and cravings, emphasizing the importance of a healthy gut diet.
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Microbiome's Role in Parkinson's
- Removing the microbiome in mice genetically predisposed to Parkinson's eliminated their symptoms.
- This suggests the microbiome plays a role in Parkinson's development.
Microbiome and Autism
- The gut microbiome can influence neurodevelopment, impacting conditions like autism.
- A specific molecule, 4-EPS, produced by gut bacteria, has been linked to anxiety-like behavior in mice.
Gut Microbiome's Impact
- The gut microbiome impacts the immune and nervous systems.
- It influences neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration, impacting conditions like Parkinson's and autism.