Microbiome transfer from another species?

[Hans de Vries]

We all know the reports of microbiome transplant allevating symptoms of autism and even changing some personality traits.

 

What would happen if you transplant a microbiome from another species (a tiger for example) into a human? 

[Dagl1]

11 minutes ago, Hans de Vries said:

We all know the reports of microbiome transplant allevating symptoms of autism and even changing some personality traits.

I don 't know such reports, could you link some studies that show this? 

 

To your other question, a bit difficult to say since its pretty much unknown territory, I would imagine however that such transplants would make people quite sick due to unfamiliar bacteria, that normally don't live in the human gut micriobime, being added to that environment. 

I doubt people will suddenly become like tigers ^^.

[Hans de Vries]

Microbiome transplant reduced core symptoms of autism by almost 50%. FDA was so impressed that it fast tracked the treatment https://www.healio.com/pediatrics/autism-spectrum-disorders/news/online/{6b8a390d-1f6a-4f24-ac73-ee831f0c20e0}/fda-fast-tracks-microbiota-therapy-for-children-with-autism

 

There are studies of mice developing schizophrenia like behaviors after a microbiome transplant from humans with schizophrenia https://www.biocodexmicrobiotainstitute.com/en/publications/schizophrenia-and-microbiota-has-link-been-confirmed

 

Anxious  mice become less anxious after a microbiome transplant from courageous mice and vice versa https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31124390/

Edited May 6, 2020 by Hans de Vries

[Dagl1]

Thanks for the links!

[PhilGeis]

Microbiome is more than fecal transplant,and only the last link is from a peer-reviewed source of data.  The 1st announces FDA review - can you provide relevant citation?.  The second is here say citing https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30775438 that does indicate at least temporary effect of fecal transplant to germ free mice.

 

 

[StringJunky]

Here's an overview of the Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis concept: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6882070/

Quote

Abstract
The gut microbiome as a potential therapeutic target for mental illness is a hot topic in psychiatry. Trillions of bacteria reside in the human gut and have been shown to play a crucial role in gut–brain communication through an influence on neural, immune, and endocrine pathways. Patients with various psychiatric disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorder have been shown to have significant differences in the composition of their gut microbiome. Enhancing beneficial bacteria in the gut, for example, through the use of probiotics, prebiotics, or dietary change, has the potential to improve mood and reduce anxiety in both healthy people and patient groups. Much attention is being given to this subject in the general media, and patients are becoming increasingly interested in the potential to treat mental illness with microbiome-based therapies. It is imperative that those working with people with mental illness are aware of the rationale and current evidence base for such treatment strategies. In this review, we provide an overview of the gut microbiome, what it is, and what it does in relation to gut–brain communication and psychological function. We describe the fundamental principles and basic techniques used in microbiome–gut–brain axis research in an accessible way for a clinician audience. We summarize the current evidence in relation to microbiome-based strategies for various psychiatric disorders and provide some practical advice that can be given to patients seeking to try a probiotic for mental health benefit.

 

Edited May 11, 2020 by StringJunky