Menage a trois: Gut, brain and microbiote

We know very well that immune cells can fight infections, but in fact, these cells are always present and active in virtually all healthy organs. The brain is no different! We will talk about the ways the immune system can shape our mood and behavior, and how events involving our immunity modulate the processes of brain development, aging, and neurological disease. We will discuss the opposite pathway too (can positive thinking really strengthen our immune system?). And finally, we will discuss how we could make treatments based on these discoveries to heal both the brain and the body.

The immune system can shape our mood, and our moods can shape our immune system. And… what about the innumerable microbes living in your guts and skin and lung and reproductive organs ? Well, they produce thousands or compounds (vitamins, sugars, amino acids, lipids, neurotransmitters, to name a few) that fuel your organs, your immune system and your nervous system. So, think of our symbiotic microbes as a full member of a menage à trois with the immune and nervous system…