In a recent discovery, neuroscientists at Duke University School of Medicine has uncovered a previously unknown communication system, dubbed the “neurobiotic sense,” which allows the brain to respond to signals from gut microbes in real time.
This rapid-response mechanism is dependent on a specialized sensory cells lining the colon, called neuropods. Researchers found that these neuropods detect flagellin, a common protein released by gut bacteria, and instantly fire a signal to the brain via the vagus nerve.
The primary function identified for this pathway is appetite suppression. In mouse studies, the detection of flagellin triggered a signal that reduced food intake, essentially sending a “we’ve had enough” message to the brain. This signal was dependent on a specific receptor (TLR5); without it, mice failed to curb their eating.
This discovery moves beyond the understanding that hormones regulate gut-brain communication over minutes or hours. It reveals a direct, real-time neural connection that gives gut microbes the power to rapidly influence host behavior. The research suggests the neurobiotic sense may be a broad platform for understanding how gut microbes influence eating habits, mood, and potentially mental health and neurological disorders.
Full Article Published: Science Daily
Original Journal Refernce-
Winston W. Liu, Naama Reicher, Emily Alway, Laura E. Rupprecht, Peter Weng, Chloe Schaefgen, Marguerita E. Klein, Jorge A. Villalobos, Carlos Puerto-Hernandez, Yolanda Graciela Kiesling Altún, Amanda Carbajal, José Alfredo Aguayo-Guerrero, Alam Coss, Atharva Sahasrabudhe, Polina Anikeeva, Alan de Araujo, Avnika Bali, Guillaume de Lartigue, Elvi Gil-Lievana, Ranier Gutierrez, Edward A. Miao, John F. Rawls, M. Maya Kaelberer, Diego V. Bohórquez. A gut sense for a microbial pattern regulates feeding. Nature, 2025; DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09301-7
Disclaimer-
The article is adopted for style and length. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your healthcare practitioner for any changes to your lifestyle or medication.
