It's not always in your mind
Could the microorganisms living in our bodies interact with our brain, affecting how we feel? And could our own immune system be the root cause of mental health disorders? In this Pint of Science evening, two KU Leuven researchers will help us better understand how our microbiome, immune system, and brain work together to influence our well being, and what happens when things go wrong.
A gut feeling for mental health
Mireia Valles-Colomer
Ph.D. Student
VIB - KU Leuven
Your gut is populated by trillions of microorganisms, which are essential for your health. What if they could even influence how you feel? Actually, research suggests they do! We can now study the microbial communities in our bodies at unprecedented resolution, and several mental diseases have already been linked to microbiota disturbances. But how do microorganisms communicate with our brain? And how far are we from using this information to treat diseases?
A burning mind
Carmen Schiweck
PhD Student
KU Leuven
Mental disorders are just that- mental. Or are they? Well, research suggests otherwise. Perhaps you have seen the netflix show « Brain On Fire », or read Edward Bullmore’s bestseller « The Inflamed Mind » : somehow, the immune system is linked to mental disorders. We know that the immune system is a vital part of life- without it, we could not survive. But what if it goes wrong ? How can inflammation lead to depressive feelings or hallucinations?