In research presented on Thursday at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Forum 2024, the international team identified bacteria that play a beneficial role in preventing food addiction.
While until now, the mechanisms underlying this behavioral disorder were largely unknown, the new findings, also published in the journal Gut, could be used as a potential new treatment for this obesity-related behavior.
"Potential new treatments could include the use of beneficial bacteria and dietary supplements," said Rafael Maldonado from the Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-Neurofer at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain.
In the study, the team examined the gut bacteria in mice that were and were not addicted to food.
They found an increase in bacteria belonging to a group called the Proteobacteria phylum and a decrease in bacteria belonging to the Actinobacteria phylum in food-addicted rats.
The amount of another type of bacteria called Blautia from the Bacillota phylum was also reduced in these mice.
Similar to the findings in rats, people with food addiction showed a decrease in the Actinobacteria phylum and Blautia and an increase in the Proteobacteria phylum.
"The findings in both mice and humans suggest that specific microbiota may be protective in preventing food addiction," said the university's Elena Martín-Garcia.
While until now, the mechanisms underlying this behavioral disorder were largely unknown, the new findings, also published in the journal Gut, could be used as a potential new treatment for this obesity-related behavior.
"Potential new treatments could include the use of beneficial bacteria and dietary supplements," said Rafael Maldonado from the Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-Neurofer at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain.
In the study, the team examined the gut bacteria in mice that were and were not addicted to food.
They found an increase in bacteria belonging to a group called the Proteobacteria phylum and a decrease in bacteria belonging to the Actinobacteria phylum in food-addicted rats.
The amount of another type of bacteria called Blautia from the Bacillota phylum was also reduced in these mice.
Similar to the findings in rats, people with food addiction showed a decrease in the Actinobacteria phylum and Blautia and an increase in the Proteobacteria phylum.
"The findings in both mice and humans suggest that specific microbiota may be protective in preventing food addiction," said the university's Elena Martín-Garcia.
