The gut microbiome produces vital chemicals unique and essential to the human body for physical and mental health. It produces vitamins and proteins, stimulates the immune system, and protects against pathogens.  Poorly functioning microbiomes are associated with poor brain development, cognitive impairment, and lifelong disorders.  Dr. Belzer is analyzing the microbiome of participants in Eat2beNICE’s four clinical trials, to see what interventions have effects on the microbiome.  Dr. Belzer weaves a wonderful story about this “organ” that we must care for, as it co-exists with us for life.

Dr. Belzer teaches and completes research in microbiology and the microbiome at the Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences at Wageningen University & Research, located in Wageningen, the Netherlands.

The Probia Study is a large international study across Spain, Germany, and Estonia studying the effects of probiotic formulas on the gut microbiome, behavior, and mental health in people with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).  The expected outcomes of the study are clearly defined and will provide insight for the first time on the effects of probiotic formulations vs. placebo, compared with previous studies which demonstrated beneficial effects of probiotics without comparison.  Results of the study will demonstrate whether probiotics are significantly better than placebo.  Dr. Ramos-Quiroga’s presentation is well-organized and presented for those with beginning understanding as well as professionals in the clinical practice and research.

Dr. Ramos-Quiroga teaches and completes research in psychiatry, mental health, and addictions at Val d’Hebron Institut de Recerca, located in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

Numerous chronic conditions (dementia, obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease) include debilitating symptoms of inflammation, poor microbiome (gut) functioning, and cognitive impairment effecting attention and memory.  The Mediterranean Diet has been shown to improve overall health and is being used in the Predimed Plus Study to determine the beneficial effects of healthier diet and exercise on mental health.  This is important research explained in this lesson by Dr. Bullo.

Dr. Bullo teaches and completes research in the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology of Universitat Rovira i Virgili located in Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain.

We now have evidence and are doing further research on early life development in infants, how gut microbiota may influence this development, and how stress in both parents may effect infant development.

Dr. de Weerth is the Chair of Developmental Psychobiology, Professor on the Faculty of Medical Sciences, and a research Principal Investigator at the Donders Center of Medical Neurosciences and the Donders Institute of Brain Cognition and Behaviour in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

Neuro-imaging is another important tool in observing and learning about the effects of nutrition on the brain and behavior, particularly impulsivity and compulsivity.

Dr. van Rooij is doing post-doctoral research at Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour.   He is interested in imaging genetics research into neurodevelopmental disorders, specifically by using big data and machine learning techniques to improve classification and stratification of the major neurodevelopmental disorders. He is responsible for coordinating several studies on children and adults with ADHD and ASD.