Why in the News
A recent study challenges the long-standing belief that the human brain is sterile.
Researchers discovered that bacteria can not only reach the brain but also thrive there.
This new finding raises questions about the role of bacteria in the brain and its potential impact on health.
Study Details
The study was conducted on salmon and trout at the University of New Mexico.
Bacteria were found in the fish’s olfactory bulbs and other brain regions, suggesting that microorganisms can exist in the brain.
The study used DNA extraction and microscopy to identify living bacteria in the brain.
The research revealed that bacteria can cross the blood-brain barrier, which was previously thought to prevent such infiltration.
Some bacteria produce molecules that open tight junctions in the barrier, while others evade immune responses to survive in the brain.
The findings suggest that bacteria may play a role in brain health and physiology, similar to how the gut microbiome influences digestion and mood.
The study opens the possibility that bacteria may also exist on human brains, challenging traditional views of brain sterility.
Future research is needed to explore whether this is a universal phenomenon across vertebrates.
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