[Article Review] Exploring the Impact of Early-Life Penicillin Exposure on Gut Microbiome and Brain Gene Expression

Reference

Volkova, A., Ruggles, K., Schulfer, A., Gao, Z., Ginsberg, S. D., & Blaser, M. J. (2021). Effects of early-life penicillin exposure on the gut microbiome and frontal cortex and amygdala gene expression. iScience, 24(7), 102797. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2021.102797

Review

The study by Volkova et al. (2021) explores the effects of early-life exposure to low-dose penicillin on the gut microbiome and gene expression in the frontal cortex and amygdala of mice. The researchers used a model system that is highly relevant to human exposure and could potentially be developed into a preclinical model for neurodevelopmental disorders. The study found that early-life exposure to low-dose penicillin led to substantial changes in the intestinal microbiota population structure and composition.

Transcriptomic alterations in the study implicated pathways that are perturbed in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. The researchers also discovered significant effects on the frontal cortex and amygdala gene expression through bioinformatic interrogation, affecting multiple pathways underlying neurodevelopment. Informatic analyses established linkages between specific intestinal microbial populations and the early-life expression of particularly affected genes.

The study by Volkova et al. (2021) provides valuable insights into the potential effects of early-life antibiotic exposure on the gut microbiome and brain gene expression. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence that supports the importance of the gut-brain axis in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. This research serves as a foundation for future studies exploring the role of the intestinal microbiome in the normal and abnormal maturation of the central nervous system.

[Article Review] The Gut-Brain Connection: Bacteroidetes-Dominant Microbiome Linked to Enhanced Neurodevelopment in Infancy

Reference

Tamana, S. K., Tun, H. M., Konya, T., Chari, R. S., Field, C. J., Guttman, D. S., Becker, A. B., Moraes, T. J., Turvey, S. E., Subbarao, P., Sears, M. R., Pei, J., Scott, J. A., Mandhane, P. J., & Kozyrskyj, A. L. (2021). Bacteroides-dominant gut microbiome of late infancy is associated with enhanced neurodevelopment. Gut Microbes, 13(1), 1930875. https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2021.1930875

Review

The article by Tamana et al. (2021) investigates the association between gut microbiota and early neurodevelopment in infants. The authors analyzed data from 405 infants from the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) Cohort Study, using the Bayley Scale of Infant Development (BSID-III) to assess neurodevelopmental outcomes at 1 and 2 years of age. Fecal samples were collected at a mean age of 4 and 12 months for microbiota profiling using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

The study identified three infant groups based on the relative abundance of gut microbiota at 12 months: Proteobacteria-dominant, Firmicutes-dominant, and Bacteroidetes-dominant clusters. The Bacteroidetes-dominant cluster demonstrated a significant positive association with cognitive, language, and motor development scores at age 2, particularly among male infants. The genus Bacteroides abundance in gut microbiota was positively correlated with cognitive and language scores at age 2. The study found no associations between 4-month microbiota clusters and BSID-II scores.

Tamana et al. (2021) suggest that Bacteroidetes-dominant gut microbiota in late infancy is associated with better neurodevelopment, particularly in males. Enhanced sphingolipid synthesis and metabolism, as well as antagonism or competition between Bacteroides and Streptococcus, were characteristic of Bacteroidetes-dominant gut microbiota. This study contributes valuable insights into the gut-brain connection and the potential impact of gut microbiota on early neurodevelopment.

[Article Review] The Impact of High Screen Time on Cognitive and Behavioral Outcomes in Extremely Preterm Children

Reference

Vohr, B. R., McGowan, E. C., Bann, C., Das, A., Higgins, R., Hintz, S., & Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network. (2021). Association of High Screen-Time Use With School-age Cognitive, Executive Function, and Behavior Outcomes in Extremely Preterm Children. JAMA Pediatrics, 175(10), 1025-1034. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.2041

Review

In a cohort study conducted by Vohr et al. (2021), the authors assessed the association of high screen time with cognitive, language, executive function, and behavior outcomes in extremely preterm children (EPT) aged 6 to 7 years. The secondary objective of the study was to examine the association between high screen time and rates of structured physical activity and weight.

The study included 414 EPT children born between February 1, 2005, and February 28, 2009, and evaluated between 2012 and 2016. The cohorts were divided into children exposed to low (≤2 hours per day) vs. high (>2 hours per day) amounts of screen time and by the presence (no vs. yes) of a television/computer in the bedroom.

The findings of the study revealed that high screen time was independently associated with lower full-scale IQ, and increased deficits in executive functions, including metacognition, global executive function, inhibition, and Conners 3rd Edition–Parent Short-Form inattention. Additionally, a television/computer in the bedroom was associated with an increase in inhibition and hyperactivity/impulsivity problems.

The authors concluded that high screen time contributes to adverse cognitive, executive function, and behavior outcomes at ages 6 to 7 years in children born at less than 28 weeks. This study emphasizes the need for clinicians to be aware of the risks for EPT children and discuss both the benefits and risks of screen time with families.