Gut Brain Axis

• What is Gut Brain Axis

  Bidirectional connection between the brain (CNS) and the gut (enteric nervous system)
• What is enteric nervous system?


  Subdivision of Autonomic nervous system that is directly connected to the CNS
• How is the gut and brain similar?

  They have similar neuron structure and functions
• Gastrointestinal tract


  Passageway of the digestive system that runs from the oesphagus to the rectum
• What does enteric nervous system do?

  Coordinates muscle contractions, regulates gut hormones
• What is the vagus nerve?


  One of body's biggest nerves (bundle of axons) that connects the brain to organism in the autonomic nervous system including throat, oesphagus and gastrointestinal tract
• What does vagus nerve do?


  Sends messages from gut to brain such as pain/discomfort, hunger feelings and satiety. It also sends messages from brain to the gut including salivation and secretion of gastric acid when we smell or anticipate food
• Controls mood, Immune response and Digestion

  Vagus Nerve
• Microbiome


  entire habitat of the body
• Microbe


  Individual microscopic living organism
• Does each person have unique gut microbiota?

  Yes
• What is microbiota?

  Bacteria, Viruses and Fungi
• What influences Gut microbiota?

  Diet, infection, disease, lifestyle, age, use of antibiotics
• What do Gut microbiota do?

  Involved in production of some neurotransmitters which can influence concentration levels in brain. Also can regulate production, storage and release of neurotransmitters in the gut
• How does Brian influence Gut?

  It has direct effect of functioning of stomach and intestines
• Thought of eating can release stomach juices

  True
• How does stress effect digestion?

  Stress can lead to activation of SNS that can reduce digestion
• Stress exposure can increase an organisms microbiota health

  False. It decreases it and is linked to mental health disorders
• What helps Gut health?

  Foods high in fiber, Probiotics, Good sleep
• What hinders gut health?

  poor diet, antibiotics, stress
• How does gut influence brain?

  Can impact learning, stress, mood and mental health disorders
• How does gut influence brain?

  Types of microbiota that an individual has in gut can shape stress responses, as they produce neurotransmitters that brain can use to regulate psych processes
• Gut microbiota manufactures how much of body's seretonion (mood)?

  95%
• Babies born to mothers who were highly stresses during pregnancy tend to impact them how?

  They tend to have abnormal gut bacteria and GI problems
• Healthy microbiota can improve gut health

  True
• Gut health can effect stress responsiveness

  True