1 million for research into the relationship between the gut and the brain

The Brain Foundation is allocating 1 million euros to Iris Sommer of the UMXG to research how the intestines can be used in the fight against brain disorders. In the study, the intestines of people with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are manipulated naturally. The aim is to reduce disease-related symptoms, positively influence disease progression and improve mental health. This is reported by the Brain Foundation.

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If the research is successful, almost half a million Dutch people with a brain disorder will immediately benefit from this. The grant of 1 million euros is the highest amount that the foundation has ever awarded to a single research project.

“Gut health affects brain function strongly and in many different ways,” says Sommer, professor of psychiatry at the UMCG and principal investigator. “With this research we want to look at how we can optimize the individual intestinal flora in people with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. We then look at what effect this has on the social and personal functioning and well-being of these people. With these results we can ensure that brain patients have fewer disease-related complaints and thus improve the quality of life. My dream is that with these results we will eventually be able to develop a personally tailored diet to reduce the risk of brain disease. ”

Mini intestines from stem cells

Among other things, mini intestines are made with nerves from the participants’ stem cells, the expertise of co-applicant Prof. van IJzendoorn of the UMCG. This is done to see where things go wrong in the intestinal balance of these people and to assess which specific probiotics should be administered to develop the optimal intestinal flora. Meanwhile, the participants start with an anti-inflammatory diet, put together by Professor Dijkstra, MDL doctor at the UMCG.

In a second step, the results from the study of the mini intestines will be used to offer the participants probiotics that are adapted to the personal gut flora of the participants. “By optimizing the intestinal flora, we try to positively influence the disease process and reduce the disease-related symptoms that are common in patients with various brain disorders.”

By: Nationale Zorggids

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