
Symposium 18: The gut-brain axis: Role of the gut in the development of affective and cognitive impairment
Symposium during the The International Behavioral Neuroscience Society (IBNS) 34th Annual Meeting in Tromso, Norway
There is increasing evidence to validate the gut as a therapeutic target for the treatment of affective disorders and cognitive impairment in translational models of neurotrauma and disease. Data show that the bacteria in the gut not only produce a wide range of psychoactive metabolites, but that this “microworld” can infiltrate and reprogram the cellular responses of the host in which they are found, driving the development of anxiety, depression and memory loss. In this symposium, we will focus on different aspects of change in gut function, including gut barrier function and the microbiome, as well as the immune, humoral and neuronal elements affecting gut-brain communication. The symposium is organised by Chair Prof Michelle Hook (Texas A&M Health Science Center) who will also speak about the association between of spinal cord injury (SCI), gut-blood barrier morphology, depression and cognitive impairment. Prof Farida Sohrabji (Texas A&M Health Science Center) will present pioneering studies demonstrating that reducing the leakiness of the gut-blood barrier reduces cognitive deficits and depression-like behavior in a rat model of ischemic stroke. Prof. Gerard Clarke (University College Cork) will present ground-breaking research on the mechanisms underpinning microbe-brain communication and the opportunities for novel therapeutic interventions targeting brain-gut-microbiome axis dysregulation in animal models of stress and immune-related disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome. To close the session, Dr Lea Decarie-Spain (University of Southern California) will present data highlighting the role of vagus nerve signaling in modulating cognitive function.
Full Details: https://www.ibnsconnect.org/2025-program