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Gut Healing
25 September 2016

Gut Healing

Forgoing a diet for a sweet treat is a classic case of thinking with our stomachs, but the connection between the brain and gut runs much deeper than that, potentially affecting how our immune system responds to micro-organisms. Researchers working on nematode worms, pictured with their guts highlighted in green, found that several neurotransmitters, signalling molecules used in the brain, impacted their immunity. In particular, blocking the dopamine signalling pathway, typically associated with rewarding sensations and addiction, made the worms more resistant to a common bacterial pathogen in the gut, while increased dopamine made them more vulnerable. Input from the brain via dopamine might thus function to keep the immune system in check, preventing it from over-reacting and harming helpful gut bacteria. Demonstrating a similar relationship between the brain and gut immunity in humans could suggest radically new ways of treating infectious and immune diseases, by targeting the nervous system instead.

Written by Emmanuelle Briolat

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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