Microbiome Therapy for the Treatment of Neurological or Behavioral Disorders

Background & Unmet Need

• The microbiota has been shown to influence our development, metabolism, and immunity
• Alterations in the microbiota have been shown to modulate host behaviors, but the mechanisms by which this occurs remain poorly understood
• Unmet Need: Identification of mechanisms involved in the “gut-brain axis” may improve our understanding of behavioral disorders and support therapeutic development

Technology Overview

• The Technology: Microbiome-based therapies with the potential to prevent and treat numerous neurological and behavioral disorders
• Discovery: Germ-free mice develop significantly altered neuronal activity and behaviors, particularly in fear extinction learning
• Selective reintroduction of the microbiota restored behavioral deficits in adult mice
• Several microbiome-derived metabolites were shown to be significantly down-regulated in germ-free mice
• May be particularly relevant for individuals at risk of developing altered microbiota

Technology Applications

• Prevention of ASD and other neuropsychiatric disorders in newborns with altered microbiota exposure (e.g., pre-term birth, C-section)
• Treatment of ASD, schizophrenia, and related disorders in children and adults
• Reintroduction of beneficial bacteria after antibiotic treatment or radiation therapy

Technology Advantages

• Targets the gut-brain axis to ensure normal neurological development
• May be administered as either probiotic compositions or small molecule metabolites