Interconnected pathways link faecal microbiota plasma lipids and brain activity to childhood malnutrition related cognition - presented by Dr Theo Portlock

Interconnected pathways link faecal microbiota plasma lipids and brain activity to childhood malnutrition related cognition

Dr Theo Portlock

Dr Theo Portlock

Associated Nature Communications article

T. Portlock et al. (2025) Interconnected pathways link faecal microbiota plasma lipids and brain activity to childhood malnutrition related cognition. Nature Communications
Article of record
Interconnected pathways link faecal microbiota plasma lipids and brain activity to childhood malnutrition related cognition
Dr Theo Portlock
Theo Portlock
University of Auckland

Malnutrition affects over 30 million children annually and has profound immediate and enduring repercussions. Survivors often suffer lasting neurocognitive consequences that impact academic performance and socioeconomic outcomes. Mechanistic understanding of the emergence of these consequences is poorly understood. Using multi-system SHAP interpreted random forest models and network analysis, we show that Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) associates with enrichment of faecal Rothia mucilaginosa, Streptococcus salivarius and depletion of Bacteroides fragilis in a cohort of one-year-old children in Dhaka, Bangladesh. These microbiome changes form interconnected pathways that involve reduced plasma odd-chain fatty acid levels, decreased gamma and beta electroencephalogram power in temporal and frontal brain regions, and reduced vocalization. These findings support the hypothesis that prolonged colonization by oral commensal species delay gut microbiome and brain development. While causal links require empirical validation, this study provides insights to improve interventions targeting MAM-associated neurodevelopmental deficits.

References
  • 1.
    T. Portlock et al. (2025) Interconnected pathways link faecal microbiota plasma lipids and brain activity to childhood malnutrition related cognition. Nature Communications
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T. Portlock (2025, February 18), Interconnected pathways link faecal microbiota plasma lipids and brain activity to childhood malnutrition related cognition
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