Oral selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors activate vagus nerve dependent gut-brain signalling.

ABSTRACT: The vagus nerve can transmit signals to the brain resulting in a reduction in depressive behavior as evidenced by the long-term beneficial effects of electrical stimulation of the vagus in patients with intractable depression. The vagus is the major neural connection between gut and brain, and we have previously shown that ingestion of beneficial bacteria modulates behaviour and brain neurochemistry via this pathway. Given the high levels of serotonin in the gut, we considered if gut-brain signaling, and specifically the vagal pathway, might contribute to the therapeutic effect of oral selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Mesenteric nerve recordings were conducted in mice after treatment with SSRI to ascertain if this class of drugs resulted in increased vagal excitability. Patc

SUBMITTER: McVey Neufeld KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6776512 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature