New Study Reveals Relationship Between Infant Gut Microbiome and Cognitive Development
Researchers have recently discovered a potential link between the composition of an infant’s gut microbiome and their cognitive development. According to a study published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, certain types of microbes in the gastrointestinal tract may be associated with improved performance in cognitive tests.
The study, led by Sebastian Hunter from the University of British Columbia in Canada, analyzed data from 56 infants between the ages of four and six months. The researchers examined the infants’ gut microbiomes through fecal samples and evaluated their cognitive abilities through various tests.
One particular test, known as “point and gaze,” measures an infant’s ability to share focus on an object with another person. Infants who performed well in this test were found to have higher levels of microbes from the Actinobacteria phylum, as well as the genus Bifidobacterium and Eggerthella. On the other hand, infants with lower performance had higher levels of microbes from the Firmicutes phylum, as well as the genus Don’t tell me and Streptococcus.
Furthermore, the researchers conducted electroencephalogram (EEG) measurements to assess brain activity when the infants heard a steady beat. They observed that certain patterns of brain activity associated with better rhythmic processing were linked to specific types of microbes and metabolic chemical reactions previously linked to brain and spinal cord development.
Interestingly, no significant connection was found between the infants’ gut microbiome and blood flow in the brain during speech processing.
These findings support the growing body of evidence suggesting that the gut microbiome may play a role in early cognitive development. However, the researchers emphasize that further research is needed to confirm and further explore this relationship.
The authors of the study state, “In our small pilot study, we observed interesting associations between the microbiome and brain function in early infancy. Further replication and research could be fruitful for understanding the role of the microbiome in early cognitive development.”
The research adds to the existing knowledge about the microbiota-gut-brain axis and its potential impact on neurodevelopment. As the understanding of these connections deepens, it could pave the way for targeted interventions and therapies to optimize early cognitive development in infants.
Future studies with larger sample sizes and longitudinal designs will be crucial in fully unraveling the complex relationship between the gut microbiome and cognitive development in infants.
For more information on this study, please refer to the original research published in PLOS ONE.