Gut Brain Axis

Question 1

What integrates the microbiota-gut-brain axis?

Answer 1

Metabolites
Neurotransmitters
Hormones

• Immune system
• Vagus nerve
• Enteric nervous system
• Neuroendocrine system
• Circulatory system

Question 2

What is Nutritional Psychiatry?

Answer 2

It is a new, rapidly emerging field of nutrition & mental with a primary focus on prevention.
It explores the relationship between dietary patterns and the risk of mental health disorders.

Question 3

The brain’s structure and function is dependent on nutrient intake, including:

Answer 3

Amino acids
Fats
Vitamins
Minerals

Question 4

What foods alter neurotransmitter activity?

Answer 4

Probiotics

Question 5

What is the Gut-Brain Axis?

Answer 5

A bidirectional communication network links the enteric and central nervous systems.
It is not only anatomical, but it also includes endocrine, humoral, metabolic, and immune communication routes.

Question 6

What links the gut and brain?

Answer 6

Autonomic nervous system
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
Nerves within the GI

Question 7

Describe the different ways the gut and brain communicate

Answer 7

• Enteric nervous system (second brain) - vagus nerve
• The production of cytokines and chemokines, neurotransmitters, short-chain fatty acids, hormones, and other molecules and metabolites that cat on the central nervous system.

Question 8

Explain the Enteric Nervous System (ENS)

Answer 8

ENS is a part of the nervous system and includes a number of neural circuits that control motor functions, local blood flow, mucosal transport and secretions, and modulate immune and endocrine functions.
* It affects nutrient absorption and mucosal barrier status
* The gut can sense, integrate and react to nutrients, bacteria, toxins, internal state
* i.e. anxiety/stress factors in GI
irritable conditions

Question 9

What is Gut microbiota?

Answer 9

Various microbial entities, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, coexist in the animal and human gastrointestinal tract.

Question 10

Which processes does the Gut microbiota regulate?

Answer 10

Nuerounflammatiory process, alteration in autoimmune and inflammatory responses, and favouring the amyloid-B deposition in AD

Question 11

Which neurotransmitters is the gut microbiota capable of producing?

Answer 11

Serotonin and dopamine

Question 12

Explain Dysbiosis

Answer 12

1. Alterations in the microbiota lead to dysbiosis of the gut
2. resulting in an imbalance in chemical signals and cytokines
3. heightens neuroinflammation in the brain

Question 13

Dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) has been associated with many diseases or disorders, including:

Answer 13

• cancer
• irritable bowel syndrome
• obesity
• neurodevelopmental disorders
• mental illness
• neurodegeneration

Question 14

Which diet increases the protection from developing mental disorders?

Answer 14

Mediterranean Diet

Question 15

Stress and GI

Answer 15

Psychological stress can increase the permeability of the gastrointestinal lining
* As a stress- and emotion-related disorder, this association has led depression researchers to explore the potential of manipulating the microbiome of the GI tract to alleviate depressive symptoms.

Question 16

Which foods are recommended for depression?

Answer 16

Treatment with probiotics may improve symptoms associated with Depression by increasing serotonin availability and/or decreasing levels of inflammatory markers.

Question 17

Vitamins and Depression

Answer 17

Folate and vitamins B6 and B12 are involved in a series of
methylation reactions that produce monoamine neurotransmitters, phospholipids, and nucleotides.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with memory loss,
depression, and cognitive dysfunction. Higher serum levels of vitamin B12 may be associated with better treatment outcomes in
antidepressant therapy.

Individuals with low folate levels have a lower treatment response
to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant drugs, and research shows that folic acid supplementation can enhance
antidepressant therapy.

Question 18

Diets recommended to lower the risk of cognitive declines and risk of developing neurodegenerative disease

Answer 18

Studies suggest that consumption of diets rich in antioxidants and
anti-inflammatory components such as those found in fruits, nuts,
vegetables, and spices, or even reduced caloric intake, may lower age-related cognitive declines and the risk of developing
neurodegenerative disease

Question 19

Which factors impact neuronal plasticity and functions?

Answer 19

Diet
Age
Sex
Gut microbiomes

Question 20

Which of the following has been associated with depression?

Answer 20

Folate
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B12