When poet Walt Whitman wrote that we “contain multitudes,” he was speaking metaphorically, but he was correct in the literal sense. Every human being carries over 100 trillion individual bacterial cells within the intestine – ten times more cells than comprise the body itself.
A biochemical pathway long associated with diarrhea and intestinal function may provide a new therapeutic target for treating ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) other neuropsychiatric disorders, according to a team of scientists from China and the United States reporting Aug. 11 in Science.
Bowel control problems affect an estimated 18 million U.S. adults — 1 out of 12 people. People with bowel control problems are often reluctant to discuss the condition, even with their doctor. The Bowel Control Awareness Campaign and its Web resources raises awareness of bowel control problems, also known as fecal incontinence. Women and older […]
Poor gut flora is believed to trigger obesity. In the same way, healthy gut flora could reduce the risk. This has shown to be the case in tests on rats. Daily intake of a lactic acid bacteria, which has been given the name Lactobacillus plantarum HEAL19, appears to be able to prevent obesity and reduce […]
For the first time, researchers at McMaster University have conclusive evidence that bacteria residing in the gut influence brain chemistry and behavior. The findings are important because several common types of gastrointestinal disease, including irritable bowel syndrome, are frequently associated with anxiety or depression. In addition, there has been speculation that some psychiatric disorders, such […]
Research being presented at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) offers further evidence that diet affects gastrointestinal illnesses, such as gallstones and celiac disease, and that some patients who think their digestive problems are caused by lactose intolerance are actually reacting to a psychological disorder. DDW is the largest international gathering of physicians and researchers in the […]
A UC Davis MIND Institute researcher has been awarded a grant by Autism Speaks to investigate the digestive and intestinal problems often experienced by children with autism and that affect their ability to learn and communicate. Paul Ashwood, associate professor of medical microbiology and immunology in the UC Davis School of Medicine, has received a […]
Recognizing that gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction affects many children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), Autism Speaks, the world’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, today announced a major Suzanne and Bob Wright Trailblazer Award for research into the biological mechanisms of GI disorders in ASD.
Recent Comments