Monday, June 30, 2014

Human Microbiota and Depression

Several weeks ago, I got an email from one of my best friends from medical school. She graduated top honors in the class and went on to Johns Hopkins, where she was a chief resident, then a fellowship, and basically has torn her way through the ranks in academic medicine like the firecracker. She told me once I ought to be in academic medicine (other than my tiny finger hold teaching a section of one class), but I’m not all that great dealing with something called a “boss,” so let’s just say I’m better off where I am. It’s very handy to have a crackerjack gastroenterologist as a friend when one is interested in the gut brain connection. Ergo…her email started off: “Saw this paper and I thought of you.”


Now we know what my friends think of me!


There is a new article at Psychology Today based on the paper: Human Microbiota and Depression


Next I’m determined to look more into genetics and mental illness, also, I have to dig deeper into something my friend Drew Ramsey found, magnesium as “paleo ketamine.” 

In other news, my baby graduated from pre-school and will start kindergarten in the fall. Here's the class waiting to get their "diplomas." Sob.


6 comments:

  1. I would just like to point out that that preschool graduating class is adorable. That is all.

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  2. Emily - I love your thoughts on brain-gut issues. All of the links you posted above have a similarity...

    Diversified gut flora, magnesium, ketamine, BDNF, GABA, and slow-wave sleep are all downstream products of a diet filled with butyrogenic prebiotics, ie. inulin, resistant starch, larch AG, XOS.

    These 4 items are underrepresented in SAD and nearly extinct in low carb/paleo diets.

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  3. Great post and great blog. Please keep writing on this subject - it's really interesting and important. Whenever I tell people the gut influences the brain, they look at me like I'm nuts. But I'm certain it is true, even if I (and no one else) can yet explain the mechanisms with precision.

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  4. what are your thoughts on this researchers suggestion that there are different biochemical subtypes of depression and how to test for them http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/05/17/new-blood-urine-tests-find-5-distinct-types-depression-researcher-says/

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  5. Christian
    I'd like to hear more about what you have to say. From psych wards to mind control over SIBO?
    I'm determined to get a better grip on my own depression and anxiety (diagnosed bipolar but don't buy it).
    April

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  6. Keep in mind Biofilms as well. Bartonella as a cause of neurological illnesses, psychiatric illnesses have received virtually no attention. This is amazing, because many of my Bartonella patients have some character, mood or cognitive alterations. I am a clinical researcher affiliated with NIH in MD and also a chronic somatizer and am currently reading yours and Dr Barsky's book.

    ReplyDelete

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