Cited by 159Gut microbiota and healthNeurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanismsNeuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms

Microbiota influence the development of the brain and behaviors in C57BL/6J mice

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Lu, Jing, Synowiec, Sylvia, Lu, Lei, Yu, Yueyue, Bretherick, Talitha, Takada, Silvia, Yarnykh, Vasily, Caplan, Jack +3 more·2018·PLoS ONE

Abstract

We investigated the contributions of commensal bacteria to brain structural maturation by magnetic resonance imaging and behavioral tests in four and 12 weeks old C57BL/6J specific pathogen free (SPF) and germ free (GF) mice. SPF mice had increased volumes and fractional anisotropy in major gray and white matter areas and higher levels of myelination in total brain, major white and grey matter structures at either four or 12 weeks of age, demonstrating better brain maturation and organization. In open field test, SPF mice had better mobility and were less anxious than GF at four weeks. In Morris water maze, SPF mice demonstrated better spatial and learning memory than GF mice at 12 weeks. In fear conditioning, SPF mice had better contextual memory than GF mice at 12 weeks. In three chamber social test, SPF mice demonstrated better social novelty than GF mice at 12 weeks. Our data demonstrate numerous significant differences in morphological brain organization and behaviors between SPF and GF mice. This suggests that commensal bacteria are necessary for normal morphological development and maturation in the grey and white matter of the brain regions with implications for behavioral outcomes such as locomotion and cognitive functions.

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  • Studies using germ-free animals that demonstrated aberrant behavior and neurochemical profile were critical in establishing the link between the gut microbiota and brain development and processes.

    “In particular, studies using GF animals that demonstrated aberrant behavior and neurochemical profile were critical in establishing the link between the gut microbiota and brain development and processes (211-217).”

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  1. [32]Yarnykh VL. Time-efficient, high-resolution, whole brain three-dimensional macromolecular proton fraction mapping. Magn Reson Med. 2016; 75(5): 2100– 6. 10.1002/mrm.25811; PubMed Central PMCID: PMCPMC4688249. 26102097 PMC4688249 · DOI

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Authors
Lu, J., Synowiec, S., Lu, L., Yu, Y., Bretherick, T., Takada, S., Yarnykh, V., Caplan, J., Caplan, M., Claud, E. C., & Drobyshevsky, A.
Affiliations
  • University of Chicago (US)
  • Endeavor Health (US)
  • Universidade Federal de São Paulo (BR)
  • National Research Tomsk State University (RU)
  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US)
Corresponding author
  • Claud, Erika C.
  • Drobyshevsky, Alexander
Venue
PLoS ONE
Published
2018-08-03
Volume
13
Issue
8
Pages
e0201829
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2886494525
Cited by
159
References
110
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 27 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 1
FWCI
5.87
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
National Institutes of Health (1R01HD083481)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
Keywords
gut microbiota, commensal bacteria, germ-free mice, brain development, brain maturation, myelination, white matter, gray matter, fractional anisotropy, anxiety, spatial memory, learning memory, contextual fear memory, social behavior, locomotion, C57BL/6J mice
MeSH terms
Animals, Behavior, Animal, Brain, Cell Count, Female, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Myelin Sheath, Neurons, Organ Size, Social Behavior, Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms, Maze Learning, Microbiota, Spatial Memory, White Matter, Gray Matter

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