08/22/2014

Can the Bacteria in Your Gut Send Messages to Your Brain?

22:52 minutes

Researchers have been studying the links between the microbiome and human health and disease. Could the bacteria in your gut influence your brain and behavior? Microbiologist Sarkis Mazmanian and John Cryan, professor of anatomy and neuroscience at University College Cork, discuss how gut bacteria might send signals to your brain and what role the communication could play in anxiety, depression, and autism.

Segment Guests

John Cryan

John Cryan is a professor and chair of the department of anatomy & neuroscience, and principal investigator at the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, at the University College Cork in Cork, Ireland.

Sarkis K. Mazmanian

Sarkis K. Mazmanian is a microbiology professor at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California.

Meet the Producer

About Alexa Lim

Alexa Lim was a senior producer for Science Friday. Her favorite stories involve space, sound, and strange animal discoveries.

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