# Unraveling gut-microbiome-brain interactions in neurodevelopmental disorders

> **NIH NIH R01** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2022 · $681,707

## Abstract

PROJECT ABSTRACT
Most of the current focus in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) research has been based on identifying key
brain regions, relevant signaling pathways and selective brain circuits that give rise to overt behavioral and
internal neuronal states Interestingly, we have recently found that that specific gut microbes can modulate brain
function and behaviors in an amazingly powerful way via the gut-brain axis. Here we will combine state-of-the-
art transcriptomics, metabolomics, pharmacology, microbiology, genetics, metagenomics, electrophysiology and
behavior to identify the mechanism(s) by which a gut microbe (L. reuteri) reverses the social deficits in NDD
mouse models. Briefly, we will define the molecular and genetic mechanism by which L. reuteri and L. reuteri-
induced metabolites promote social behavior and related changes in synaptic function. In addition, we will identify
the mode of gut-brain communication (‘gut-brain axis’) by which L. reuteri and L. reuteri-induced metabolites
modulate brain function and behavior. Finally, we will assess the broader therapeutic potential for L. reuteri-
induced metabolites in different models for NDDs with social dysfunction. Our findings could not only provide a
new holistic dimension of how behaviors and the brain are controlled by gut microbes, but they could also lead
to the development of new non-invasive microbial-based therapies for NDDs.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10489812
- **Project number:** 5R01MH112356-07
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Ergun Sahin
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $681,707
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-16 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10489812

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10489812, Unraveling gut-microbiome-brain interactions in neurodevelopmental disorders (5R01MH112356-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10489812. Licensed CC0.

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