Summary: A new study suggests that transmission by oral microbiota between couples of newlyweds can influence the appearance of symptoms of depression and anxiety. Researchers observed that healthy spouses of partners with insomnia, depression and anxiety have developed similar mental health symptoms and microbiota profiles within six months of marriage.
The study revealed strong correlations between shared bacterial strains, the modification of cortisol levels and the increase in depression and anxiety scores. Although the results are not yet causal, they highlight a possible microbial path for emotional contagion between intimate partners.
Key facts:
- Microbial convergence: The oral microbiobioms of spouses have become more similar over time, especially when a partner had depression and anxiety.
- Correlation of mood: The changes in the composition of the microbiota were correlated with the increase in salivary cortisol and the worsening of mental health in the healthy partner.
- Key bacteria identified: Higher levels of Clostridia, Veillonella, Bacillus and LachnospiCiCiPiraceae were linked to the phenotype of depression-animation.
Source: Xia & Il Publishing Inc
Dysbiosis by oral microbiota and altered salivary cortisol levels have been linked to depression and anxiety.
Since bacterial transmission can occur between spouses, this study aimed to determine whether the transmission of the oral microbiota between couples of newlyweds intervenes on the symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Methods
The validated Persian versions of the Pittsburgh, Beck Depression Inventory-II sleeping index and Beck Anxiety Inventory were administered to 1,740 couples that have been married for six months. The researchers compared 268 healthy witness spouses with 268 cases assigned in a transversal study. The data was analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.
Results
After six months, the healthy spouses married to an insomniac with the phenotype of Depression-Anxiety (DA) obtained a significantly higher score on the Pittsburgh sleeping index, Beck Depression Inventory-II and Beck Anxiety inventory compared to their basic scores. This indicates that their scores of quality of sleep, depression and anxiety have become more similar to those of their affected spouses.
In addition, the composition of their oral microbiota has changed significantly, becoming more and more similar to that of their spouses. More specifically, in couples where a partner had the DA phenotype, the oral microbiota of the healthy spouse reflected that of the affected partner (p
These microbial changes were correlated with alterations in salivary cortisol levels as well as depression and anxiety scores. A linear discriminating analysis revealed that the relative abundance of Clostridia,, Veillonella,, BacillusAnd Lachnospiraceae were significantly higher in insomniacs with the DA phenotype compared to healthy witnesses (p
Conclusions
The transmission of the oral microbiota plays a partial role in the mediation of depression and anxiety among couples. Since this study is associated, additional research is necessary to determine whether this association is causal. If it is determined that this association is indeed causal, it could have important implications for contemporary research.
We propose that, within the framework of diagnostic, predictive, preventive and personalized medicine, the practical and theoretical implications of this study can improve our understanding of the various aspects of microbiota-host interactions.
About this news of research in terms of microbiome and mental health
Author: Shelly Zhang
Source: Xia & Il Publishing Inc
Contact: Shelly Zhang – Xia & He Publishing Inc
Picture: The image is credited with Neuroscience News
Original search: Open access.
“Transmission by oral microbiota occurs partially with depression and anxiety among couples of newlyweds” by Neil Daghnall et al. Exploratory research and hypothesis in medicine
