2024-01-02 12:20:06
Uncoupling the gut from the brain
“Intestinal bacteria are found near this nerve and impact its activity,” underlines Professor Eleni Siopi (Paris Cité University), first author of this work. And this nerve is connected to brain regions involved in managing emotions. »
To study the role of the vagus nerve in depression, researchers “carried out transfers of microbiota from mice suffering from this disease to other, healthy ones, presenting an unaffected vagus nerve or, on the contrary, severed in the abdomen (vagotomy). )”. So how can we spot depressed mice? This results in a loss of interest, curiosity, motivation, or even apathy during simple exercises.”
Symptoms observed in mice in the control group, therefore initially presenting an uninjured vagus nerve. On the other hand, in rodents whose vagus nerve was cut, “the transfer of microbiota did not induce depression”. Results: “vagotomy caused a decoupling of the intestine and the brain which was sufficient to preserve the subjects from the depressive state caused by intestinal dysbiosis,” clarifies the researcher.
Meditation and massage
Identifying the vagus nerve as the seat of depression can already be of use to patients suffering from depression, by acting at this precise level. “Stimulating the vagus nerve through meditation or even massages could strengthen the effect of treatments thanks to better stress control. In addition, modulating the activity of specific proteins or molecules of the vagus nerve could help combat the severity or recurrence of depression in patients,” hopes Eleni Siopi. A priority because at “currently, only a third of patients are effectively relieved by medications, which means that additional solutions are expected,” she concludes.
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