Microbiota regulate social behaviour via stress response neurons in the brain

ABSTRACT
The gut microbiota contribute to social activity in mice ( 3,4) over unclear gut-brain connections.

Microbiome modulates neuronal activity in specific brain regions of male mice to regulate canonical stress responses and social behaviors.

Social deviation in germ-free and antibiotic-treated mice is associated with elevated levels of the stress hormone corticosterone, primarily produced by activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

Adrenalectomy, antagonism of glucocorticoid receptors, or pharmacological inhibition of corticosterone synthesis effectively corrects social deficits following microbiome depletion.

Genetic ablation of glucocorticoid recepto…