Mapping the Impact of Gut Microbiota on Brain and Behavior Through the Lens of GABA

Gut microbiota produce different metabolites within the human body, which include neurotransmitters. Animal studies have demonstrated a critical role for the gut microbiota in various aspects of brain and behavioural function, and a smaller number of studies in humans have shown differences of gut microbiota composition in psychiatric conditions. However, almost nothing is known about the impact of neurotransmitters produced by the gut microbiota on human brain and behaviour.

The way in which differences in brain, behaviour and personality traits are associated with the gut microbiota, and how they are influenced by a probiotic will be explored, with a special focus on GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid).

Abnormalities of microbiota composition have been identified in metabolic disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease and obesity, and psychiatric conditions, such as depression and anxiety.

The aim of this intervention trial will be to answer the following fundamental questions:

1. Does the population of gut bacteria capable of producing GABA modulate brain-based measures of GABA?
2. Does the population of gut bacteria capable of producing GABA influence performance in behavioural tasks known to depend on GABA-ergic function?

The impact of a GABA producing probiotic on the measures of GABA in the brain and serum, relevant metabolites in blood, faecal and urine samples and performance in GABA dependent behavioural tasks will be investigated in this trial.

This interventional trial will involve a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial structured in 4 appointments: week 0 (W0), week 4 (W4), week 8 (W8) and week 12 (W12). The study will therefore last 12 weeks, and will include a screening visit and 4 study visits.

The interventional study has a cross-over design, and participants will therefore be invited to consume both the active probiotic supplement and the placebo at different times. The probiotic supplement (Lactobacillus brevis) was chosen based on the ability to produce GABA in vitro (Monteagudo et al., 2022). The placebo will be maltodextrin The products will be provided as capsules and are identical in texture and appearance.

For participants to be considered compliant and therefore included in the study they will be require:

1. to take the probiotic supplement or placebo at least 6 out of every 7 days of the trial for the week period;
2. to provide faecal, blood and urine samples and to be tested with a battery involving behaviour and brain measures relating to GABA levels/activity and
3. to complete a food diary using an online app once every 4 weeks.

As age and BMI are factors associated with significant variation in gut microbiota composition/brain and behaviour functioning, both study arms will be matched on these criteria.

All interested Individuals will be invited to complete an initial screening questionnaire, which includes questions related to a) the study inclusion criteria. Individuals who meet the study inclusion criteria will then be asked to complete b) an MRI contraindications questionnaire and, in absence of any MRI-related contraindications, they will be asked to c) complete a medical/lifestyle questionnaire to confirm the absence of any exclusion criteria.

Individuals who meet the inclusion criteria will be invited to attend a screening visit at the University of Reading for familiarisation with the procedures and for any clarification they might need. Participants will be provided with a sample collection kit (for faecal and urine sample collection), will be instructed on how to use it, and will be asked to track their diet using an online app (eNutri).

All study appointments will take place at the University of Reading. On the day of the study appointment, participants will be asked to provide a fresh faecal sample and spot urine sample (first morning urine), collected using the sample kit they were provided with at the screening visit. A venous blood sample (equal to 10ml/ 2tsp) will be collected by experienced and trained phlebotomists at the University of Reading. Participants will then undergo a neuroimaging battery, which will include structural magnetic resonance images, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to quantify concentrations of GABA in determined regions of the brain, and functional magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate functional connectivity between brain areas. Participants will then complete a battery of GABA-dependent behavioural assays including a facial emotion recognition task, a motor learning task, and a tactile frequency discrimination task. Participants will then complete the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Participants will complete this battery of tasks at each of the four study visits at W0, W4, W8 and W12.

At the end of visit 1 (W0), participants will be provided with either the probiotic OR placebo supplement to consume daily for the next 4 weeks, i.e. between study visits 1 and 2. At the end of visit 2 (W4), participants will not be provided with any supplements as they will enter their 4-week period of washout. At the end of visit 3 (W8), participants will be provided with either the probiotic OR placebo supplement to consume daily for the next 4 weeks. If the participant received the probiotic following visit 1, they will receive the placebo at this point, and vice versa. Participants will be asked to take this daily until their fourth and final study visit (W12). Study visit 4 finalises the study.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male
* Right-handed
* Caucasian/White
* Between 18 and 50 years of age
* Grew up in the UK or other European country
* Body Mass Index 18.5 to 30.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Use of antibiotics within the last 3 months
* Use of protonic pump inhibitors (PPIs) within the last 3 months
* Current or history of regular smoking within the last 6 months
* Regular consumption of \>14 units of alcohol per week
* Current use of psychotropic drugs for medicinal or recreational purposes
* Current use of probiotic/prebiotic supplements
* Current diagnosis of neurological, developmental or psychiatric condition
* Current diagnosis of gut microbiota related conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome