Microbiota influence the development of the brain and behaviors in C57BL/6J mice

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201829
• Publication Date: 2018-08-03T15:59:49Z
• Authors: Jing Lu; Sylvia Synowiec; Lei Lu; Yueyue Yu; Talitha Bretherick; Silvia Takada; Vasily Yarnykh; Jack Caplan; Michael Caplan; Erika C. Claud; Alexander Drobysh...
• Keywords: Grey matter

We investigated the contributions of commensal bacteria to brain structural maturation by magnetic resonance imaging and behavioral tests in four 12 weeks old C57BL/6J specific pathogen free (SPF) germ (GF) mice. SPF mice had increased volumes fractional anisotropy major gray white matter areas higher levels myelination total brain, grey structures at either or age, demonstrating better organization. In open field test, mobility were less anxious than GF weeks. Morris water maze, demonstrated spatial learning memory fear conditioning, contextual three chamber social novelty Our data demonstrate numerous significant differences morphological organization behaviors between This suggests that are necessary for normal development regions with implications outcomes such as locomotion cognitive functions.