14/01/2026
Could the gut have played a role in shaping the human brain?
A study from Northwestern University explored what happens when gut bacteria from different primates are transferred into mice. When mice received microbes from primates with larger brains, including humans, their brain activity changed in noticeable ways.
The changes were linked to how the brain uses energy, as well as pathways involved in learning and adaptation. Mice that received microbes from smaller-brained primates showed very different brain patterns.
The takeawaysuggest that the gut microbiome may have supported the evolution of energy-intensive brains and could still influence how the brain functions today. This has potential implications for neuroscience, preventive health, and long-term cognitive resilience.
Science is continuing to uncover just how closely connected our gut and brain really are.