Grant: Project Grant

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is diagnosed in about 25% of patients during childhood and results in chronic gut inflammation and changes to the microbiota. IBD is also associated with increased risk for mental health problems, which can worsen the course of the disease and increase rates of treatment failure, and risk of surgery. It is not well understood how gut inflammation and brain dysfunction are connected, although interactions between the gut microbiota and brain are critical for proper brain development. We propose that the microbiota in the gut send signals to immune cells in the brain, but IBD disrupts these signals, changing brain development and ultimately leading to impaired mental health. To test this idea, we have developed and will characterize a unique mouse model of pediatric IBD which we use to study the effect of early gut inflammation on brain development and behaviour. We will generate several large datasets that will be made freely available to researchers and the public, and we will distribute our knowledge through articles, social media, and our website. Overall, our results will accelerate the understanding of microbiome contributions to pediatric IBD and demonstrate the impact of diet on long-term gut and brain health.