Litcius/Paper detail

Commensal human gut microbes produce species specific neuroactive compounds

Anna M. Tingler, Charulekha Packirisamy, Alyssa Gutierrez, Adelaide E. Horvath, Makenna Grozis, Sigmund J. Haidacher, Kathleen M. Hoch, Anthony M. Haag, Numan Oezguen, Kristen A. Engevik, Amy C. Engevik, Thomas D. Horvath, Melinda A. Engevik

2025iScience7 citationsDOIOpen Access PDF

Abstract

produced L-DOPA. Interestingly, none produced serotonin or its intermediates despite consuming tryptophan. Multiple species also generated short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These findings demonstrate that commensal microbes contribute to host neurochemistry by producing diverse neuroactive metabolites and SCFAs, highlighting the therapeutic potential of modulating the gut microbiota to influence human health.

Topics & Concepts

Gut floraBiologyNeurochemistryHost (biology)PrebioticBacteriaNeuroactive steroidBiochemistryDocosahexaenoic acidMicrobiomeTyramineMicrobiologyHuman healthPolyunsaturated fatty acidMicroorganismGut–brain axisChemistryHuman microbiomeCommensalismFatty acidClostridiaTyrosineMicrobial metabolismImmune systemGut microbiota and healthGABA and Rice ResearchProbiotics and Fermented Foods