Brain trust

IF 2.5 Q3 ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM Comprehensive psychoneuroendocrinology Pub Date : 2023-09-28 DOI:10.1016/j.cpnec.2023.100212

Susan E. Erdman

{"title":"Brain trust","authors":"Susan E. Erdman","doi":"10.1016/j.cpnec.2023.100212","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This narrative describes a personal journey that led to the discovery of a profound connection between microbial symbionts and oxytocin. Pivotal oxytocin discoveries began to emerge in 2011 while this researcher’s multidisciplinary team explored gut microbial priming of the immune system and perinatal health. Inspired by oxytocin's role in early life events of milk release, neural connections, and social bonding, the team hypothesized a symbiotic relationship between microbes and oxytocin. Scientific experiments demonstrated that specific milk-borne microbes boosted oxytocin levels through a vagus nerve-mediated gut-brain pathway, affecting immune functions and wound healing capacity in the host animal. The exploration then expanded to microbial impacts on reproductive fitness, body weight, and even mental health. Overarching hypotheses envisioned a nurturing symbiosis promoting survival and societal advancement. Ultimately, this oxytocin-mediated partnership between microbes and mammals is portrayed as a harmonious legacy of neurological stability, empathy, and universal wisdom, transcending generations. The author's personal journey underscores the beauty and inspiration found in her scientific exploration.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":72656,"journal":{"name":"Comprehensive psychoneuroendocrinology","volume":"16 ","pages":"Article 100212"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5000,"publicationDate":"2023-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Comprehensive psychoneuroendocrinology","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666497623000462","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

This narrative describes a personal journey that led to the discovery of a profound connection between microbial symbionts and oxytocin. Pivotal oxytocin discoveries began to emerge in 2011 while this researcher’s multidisciplinary team explored gut microbial priming of the immune system and perinatal health. Inspired by oxytocin's role in early life events of milk release, neural connections, and social bonding, the team hypothesized a symbiotic relationship between microbes and oxytocin. Scientific experiments demonstrated that specific milk-borne microbes boosted oxytocin levels through a vagus nerve-mediated gut-brain pathway, affecting immune functions and wound healing capacity in the host animal. The exploration then expanded to microbial impacts on reproductive fitness, body weight, and even mental health. Overarching hypotheses envisioned a nurturing symbiosis promoting survival and societal advancement. Ultimately, this oxytocin-mediated partnership between microbes and mammals is portrayed as a harmonious legacy of neurological stability, empathy, and universal wisdom, transcending generations. The author's personal journey underscores the beauty and inspiration found in her scientific exploration.

查看原文

微信好友朋友圈 QQ好友复制链接

本刊更多论文

智囊团

这篇叙述描述了一段个人旅程，发现了微生物共生体和催产素之间的深刻联系。2011年，当该研究人员的多学科团队探索免疫系统的肠道微生物启动和围产期健康时，关键的催产素发现开始出现。受催产素在乳汁释放、神经连接和社会联系等早期生活事件中的作用的启发，该团队假设微生物和催产素之间存在共生关系。科学实验表明，特定的奶源微生物通过迷走神经介导的肠脑途径提高催产素水平，影响宿主动物的免疫功能和伤口愈合能力。随后，研究扩展到微生物对生殖健康、体重甚至心理健康的影响。总体假设设想了一种促进生存和社会进步的共生关系。最终，这种由催产素介导的微生物和哺乳动物之间的伙伴关系被描绘成神经稳定性、同理心和普遍智慧的和谐遗产，超越了几代人。作者的个人旅程强调了她在科学探索中发现的美丽和灵感。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文去求助

来源期刊