Microbial metabolites tune amygdala neuronal hyperexcitability and anxiety-linked behaviors.

ABSTRACT: Changes in gut microbiota composition have been linked to anxiety behavior in rodents. However, the underlying neural circuitry linking microbiota and their metabolites to anxiety behavior remains unknown. Using male C57BL/6J germ-free (GF) mice, not exposed to live microbes, increased anxiety-related behavior was observed correlating with a significant increase in the immediate early c-Fos gene in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). This phenomenon coincided with increased intrinsic excitability and spontaneous synaptic activity of BLA pyramidal neurons associated with reduced small conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channel currents. Importantly, colonizing GF mice to live microbes or the microbial-derived metabolite indoles reverted SK channel activities in BLA pyramidal neurons a

SUBMITTER: Yu W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11821874 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature