Grant: Doctoral: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Emerging research findings consistently implicate the gut microbiota in stress-related mental health disorders. Since the gut microbiota, which plays a significant role in the development of the stress response and of brain functions, is heavily influenced by diet, it is imperative to understand how its patterns during early development could be modulated to limit the risk of stress-related mental disorders. Using a mouse model, I propose to study the impact of different dietary interventions on the development of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in mice that had been stressed early in life and consequently, in modulating their vulnerability to stress-related depression- and anxiety-like behaviours. Results from this study will shed light on early-life gut microbial patterns that may point to a risk for stress-induced depression and anxiety and on potential diet strategies to limit this risk. Such information may guide early-life diet-based interventions for promoting mental health.