Gut Feeling: What the Gut Brain Axis May Reveal About Depressive Symptomatology During Adolescence
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Date
2020-09-24
Authors
Flannery, Jessica
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Adolescence is a key period of neurobiological and social-affective development. It is also a time of increased vulnerability to psychopathology, such as depression. Growing evidence suggests that the gut microbiome can modify neurobiological and social-affective processes as well as potentiated novel therapies for mental and physical health problems. Despite the promise of these finding, it remains to be tested if these relationships exist during adolescence; a period of increased malleability within several of these systems. In Chapter 1, I first discuss why the gut microbiome has become increasingly relevant to developmental cognitive neuroscience. Specifically, I review the links between the gut microbiome and six overarching domains of change during adolescence: 1) social processes, 2) motivation and behavior, 3) neural development, 4) cognition, 5) neuroendocrine function, and 6) physical health and wellness. Next, I present an empirical study that tests some of the hypotheses put forth in Chapter 1. In a community sample of adolescent girls, I provide the first evidence that the functional composition of the microbiome associate with the amygdala resting state functional connectivity during adolescence. Specifically, these findings suggest the functional capacity of the microbiome associates with functional brain connectivity implicated in cognitive control and flexibility, emotional reactivity, and reward-seeking behaviors. Furthermore, both amygdala resting state functional connectivity and the function composition of the gut microbiome are associated with depressive symptomatology during adolescence. This provides the first evidence that the gut microbiome may be involved central neurobiological and affective behaviors during adolescence. Together, these findings suggest that neurobiological models of adolescent behavior need to be updated to account for the role of the gut microbiome. This study was not without limitations and requires replication. To conclude my dissertation, I discuss future directions and challenges within this emerging interdisciplinary field; within clinical translation of these findings; and my future programmatic research plans.