# Probiotics and the microbiota-gut-brain axis

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · 2020 · $382,743

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
 Host-microbe interactions are paramount for maintaining normal physiology of the human host, including
the brain and behavior. Bacterial colonization of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, formation of GI mucosal barrier
function, and neurogenesis all occur during a critical developmental window in early life. Thus, exposure to
trauma such as stress, infection or inflammation during neonatal life could detrimentally impact the developing
microbiota, gut and brain (MGB) axis. Disrupted MGB axis signaling, including dysbiosis, mucosal barrier
defects and/or changes in behavior, occur in multiple diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),
autism spectrum disorder, major depressive disorder, and obesity.
 Antibiotics (Abx) are administered to children more frequently than adults, due to increased susceptibility to
bacterial pathogens. Since the MGB axis is developing during this critical time, Abx administration may have
long-lasting effects. Administration of probiotic organisms can ameliorate numerous pathologies, including
dysbiosis, mucosal barrier dysfunction, inflammation and behavioral defects. We have demonstrated that
Lactobacillus-containing probiotics can prevent stress-induced MGB axis deficits following infection with a
bacterial pathogen. We hypothesize that administration of specific probiotics can prevent neonatal Abx-
induced deficits in the adult MGB axis. Therefore, our primary objective is to address the effects of neonatal
dysbiosis on the development of the MGB axis using a model of neonatal Abx administration. Our overall goal
is to determine whether intestinal dysbiosis disrupts the gut-brain axis, and whether administration of
probiotics beneficially modulates the MGB axis. This goal will be accomplished by the following Specific
Aims: (1) neonatal dysbiosis disrupts the developing MGB axis, (2) NOD-like receptors (NLR) are critical
for MBG axis development; and (3) selective probiotics can restore MBG axis deficits via NLR.
 Taken together, these proposed studies will demonstrate whether neonatal dysbiosis disrupts the
developing MGB axis, impacting the microbiota composition, altering NLR signaling, and causing behavioral
deficits in adulthood. Furthermore, we will determine whether administering select probiotics ameliorates these
effects, in part via NLR signaling and thereby support use of select probiotic strains therapeutically for altered
MGB axis. Finally, our results may promote use of probiotics concomitantly with Abx administration to prevent
development MGB axis deficits, particularly in children and neonates.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9823867
- **Project number:** 5R01AT009365-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- **Principal Investigator:** Melanie G Gareau
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $382,743
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-12-01 → 2021-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9823867

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9823867, Probiotics and the microbiota-gut-brain axis (5R01AT009365-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9823867. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*