Why is the gut our second brain? Robert-J M Brummer

Why is the gut our second

brain?

Robert-J M Brummer MD PhD

Professor of Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition, director Nutrition-Gut-Brain Interactions Research Centre

Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Örebro University, Sweden

Helsinki, June 15, 2016

The Gut-Brain Axis

© Robert Brummer 2014

Components of the gut-brain axis

The Gut and State of Mind

Gut microbiota• 10x more microbes than

body cells• Separate genome• Build a complex

‘ecosystem’• Many functions• First years of life are pivotal• Aberrant composition in

many disorders• Effect on brain function?!

Healthy microbiota

Infections Antibiotics Bowel cleansingx

xxxxx

x

How can microbes affect brain functions, and which functions?

• Direct microbe-host interactions

• Indirect actions mediated by microbial metabolites

How can we improve/balance

our gut (and brain) function?

How do probiotics work?• Inhibition of pathogenic bacteria• Stabilizing the gut “eco system”• Supporting the immune system• Enhancing intestinal “barrier function”• Attenuation of mucosal stress responses• Immune-modulatory/ anti-inflammatory action• Alteration of bacterial products• Alteration of gut hormone secretion• Interaction with the brain

Lactobacillus rhamnosis GG (ATCC 53103)LGG

The resilience model

Limits of normal functionality

The resilience model (adaptive capacity)


The resilience model (e.g. ageing)


Why is the gut our second brain? Robert-J M Brummer

Health & Medicine

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