Another area of study that seems to be exploding recently is the relationship between the gut and neurodegeneration. Just 3 months ago, back in November, I wrote about research from Cambridge University which described their finding that the immune system of the brain is directly connected to the immune system of the gut. It was a remarkable discovery: the same antibodies that would protect the gut from invaders were found in the brain. I promised you then to follow that developing story, not thinking that less than 3 months later, I’d be keeping that promise!

New research just published in the very prestigious journal, Nature, describes how a kind of brain cell, the astrocyte, can prevent inflammation, and its activity is modulated by molecules from gut bacteria. Astrocytes are non-neuronal cells that are abundant in the brain and spinal cord and which are known to help maintain the blood-brain barrier as well as regulate the activity of neurons. They also appear to play a significant role in the immunology of the brain, and in the last few years, research has shown that they can trigger inflammation. This new research shows, however, that they can also protect the brain from inflammation.

More at link:

https://biomebuzz.com/2021/02/02/more-on-the-gut-immune-brain-immune-systems-connection/

https://www.daimanuel.com/2020/11/17/how-your-gut-health-affects-your-brain/