2020-04-02_Science_Illustrated

(WallPaper) #1
3 NEUROTRANSMITTERS FROM THE BACTERIA TALK TO THE BRAIN
Intestinal bacteria influence immune cells close to the
intestinal wall to release a series of biochemicals known as
cytokines. These travel with the blood to the brain, where
they can affect the flow of nerve signals and so brain activity.

2 GREASY INTESTINAL NERVE MAKES UP BACTERIUM HIGHWAY
If bacteria penetrate the intestinal wall, they can move
into the fatty myelin sheath around the long vagus nerve.
From there the bacteria migrate to the brain stem where
the nerve ends – and the microbes have entered the brain.

Three paths to the brain


for intestinal flora


Bacteria are thought to use neurotransmitters to remote-control the
brain, but now the discovery of microbes in the brain itself indicates
that they travel with blood or nerves from the intestines to the head.

Intestines

Bacteria

Myelin

Vagus nerve

VAGUS NERVE

CYTOKINES

BLOOD VESSEL

Blood^

Brain^ fluid

Bblaorordie-rb rcaeilnl^

Link
bectewlelsen

White^ blood^ cell

C
A B

Bacteria

B If the^ link^
between^ cells^ in^
the^ blood^ vessel^
wall^ is^ missing,^
a bacterium^ can^
slip^ in^ via^ the^ hole.

A Bacteria^ reaching^
the^ brain^ enclose^
themselves^ in^ blood^
vessel^ cell^ walls,^
passing^ through^ to^
the^ brain^ itself.

C White^ blood^
cells^ often^ have^
access^ to^ the^ brain,^
so bacteria^ can^
enter^ these^
and^ then^ sneak^ in.

1


BACTERIA^ CROSS^ T


HE^ BLOOD-BRAIN^


BARRIER^ USING^ TH


REE^ TRICKS


CLA


US^


LUN


AU

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