Latest news with #ChongqingMedicalUniversity
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
OCD May Start in the Gut, Not the Brain, Surprising New Study Finds
Obsessive-compulsive disorder has long been considered a problem of the brain, but new research suggests the real driver might be hiding in the gut. A team of scientists from Chongqing Medical University in China has uncovered a surprising link between gut bacteria and OCD, a chronic condition affecting up to 3 percent of people worldwide. Their findings, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, point to specific microbes in the digestive system that may help cause or prevent the disorder, redefining how we think about its origins and how it might one day be treated. The researchers used a method called Mendelian randomization to connect the dots between genes, gut bacteria, and OCD. By analyzing data from over 217,000 people, they were able to isolate six types of gut bacteria linked to the condition. Three—Bacillales, Eubacterium, and Lachnospiraceae UCG001—were associated with increased risk. The other three—Proteobacteria, Ruminococcaceae, and Bilophila—appeared to play a protective role. 'Specific gut microbiota might have a causal relationship with OCD,' the study authors wrote, noting this is the first research to strengthen the case for direct causality between bacteria and OCD rather than a mere association. That distinction matters. Because genes are set at birth, this method helps rule out outside influences like diet or lifestyle, making it more likely that these microbes are directly involved in OCD development, not just of these bacteria have been tied to mental health before. Low levels of Ruminococcaceae, for example, have also been observed in people with depression. Taken together, the findings underscore the profound impact of the gut-brain axis, an internal feedback loop that science is only beginning to fully comprehend. OCD is often treated with a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and SSRIs, but those approaches don't work for everyone. In fact, 25 to 40 percent of patients see little or no benefit. This new research hints at future therapies that may involve targeting gut bacteria instead of, or in addition to, brain chemistry. 'Despite the utilization of standard treatments, many patients experience suboptimal or no response,' the researchers noted. 'The personal and societal toll of OCD is substantial.' For now, the findings raise more questions than answers, but they open the door to a radical new understanding of one of mental health's most stubborn May Start in the Gut, Not the Brain, Surprising New Study Finds first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 8, 2025
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
OCD's Origins Might Not Lie in The Brain Like We Thought
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects up to 3 percent of people worldwide and remains one of the most challenging mental health conditions to treat effectively. That makes any fresh insight into OCD's root causes especially valuable – like a new study pointing to a surprising suspect: the bacteria living in our gut. The research from China explored how the gut microbiota – the complex community of bacteria that live in the digestive system – may influence whether a person develops OCD, and identified six types of bacteria that appear to be linked with the condition. A steady stream of studies has shown close connections between the brain and the gut, but this is the first to provide compelling evidence that gut bacteria may actually help cause it. The researchers used genetic data to strengthen the case for causation. Related: "Previous studies have indicated a potential link between the gut microbiota and OCD," write the researchers from Chongqing Medical University in their published paper. "However, the exact causal relationship remains uncertain." "Our analysis suggested that specific gut microbiota might have a causal relationship with OCD, revealing potential intervention strategies for the prevention and treatment of this disorder." To explore this link, the researchers used a genetic approach known as Mendelian randomization, which allows scientists to infer causality by analyzing genetic variants that influence both OCD and gut bacteria. They assessed links between genetic data and gut bacteria in a sample of 18,340 people, and the links between genetic data and OCD in a separate sample of 199,169 people. Although these were two discrete sets of data, the study used Mendelian randomization to essentially bridge the gap and connect gut bacteria patterns with OCD. Because our genes are fixed at birth and not shaped by environment or lifestyle, this method helps strengthen the case that gut bacteria might directly contribute to OCD, rather than just being an effect of it. However, more data and more controlled experiments will be needed to confirm a causal link. Three types of bacteria appeared to be protective against OCD: Proteobacteria, Ruminococcaceae, and Bilophila. Another three seemed to increase the risk of OCD: Bacillales, Eubacterium, and Lachnospiraceae UCG001. Interestingly, many of these bacteria have been linked with the brain before. For example, previous studies have found a connection between low levels of Ruminococcaceae species and depression. These findings expand what we already know about the gut-brain axis and how one can affect the other. "Future research should employ longitudinal designs and diverse populations to validate and expand upon these findings, as well as a more in-depth classification of microbes and their metabolic products, to further understand the role of gut microbiota in OCD," write the researchers. Down the line – and it's still a way off – we may have a new way to treat or prevent OCD, by controlling gut bacteria mixtures. For people living with the condition – and the families, friends, and clinicians who support them – this could eventually offer new hope. "Despite the utilization of cognitive behavioral therapy and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in OCD treatment, a notable 25–40 percent of patients experience suboptimal or no response to these interventions," write the researchers. "Moreover, the personal and societal toll of OCD is substantial." The research has been published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. The News Cycle Is a Stress Monster. But There's a Healthy Way to Stay Informed. Surprise Discovery About Sugar in The Brain Could Help Fight Alzheimer's Air Pollution 'Strongly Associated' With DNA Mutations Tied to Lung Cancer
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
OCD's Origins Might Not Lie in The Brain Like We Thought
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects up to 3 percent of people worldwide and remains one of the most challenging mental health conditions to treat effectively. That makes any fresh insight into OCD's root causes especially valuable – like a new study pointing to a surprising suspect: the bacteria living in our gut. The research from China explored how the gut microbiota – the complex community of bacteria that live in the digestive system – may influence whether a person develops OCD, and identified six types of bacteria that appear to be linked with the condition. A steady stream of studies has shown close connections between the brain and the gut, but this is the first to provide compelling evidence that gut bacteria may actually help cause it. The researchers used genetic data to strengthen the case for causation. Related: "Previous studies have indicated a potential link between the gut microbiota and OCD," write the researchers from Chongqing Medical University in their published paper. "However, the exact causal relationship remains uncertain." "Our analysis suggested that specific gut microbiota might have a causal relationship with OCD, revealing potential intervention strategies for the prevention and treatment of this disorder." To explore this link, the researchers used a genetic approach known as Mendelian randomization, which allows scientists to infer causality by analyzing genetic variants that influence both OCD and gut bacteria. They assessed links between genetic data and gut bacteria in a sample of 18,340 people, and the links between genetic data and OCD in a separate sample of 199,169 people. Although these were two discrete sets of data, the study used Mendelian randomization to essentially bridge the gap and connect gut bacteria patterns with OCD. Because our genes are fixed at birth and not shaped by environment or lifestyle, this method helps strengthen the case that gut bacteria might directly contribute to OCD, rather than just being an effect of it. However, more data and more controlled experiments will be needed to confirm a causal link. Three types of bacteria appeared to be protective against OCD: Proteobacteria, Ruminococcaceae, and Bilophila. Another three seemed to increase the risk of OCD: Bacillales, Eubacterium, and Lachnospiraceae UCG001. Interestingly, many of these bacteria have been linked with the brain before. For example, previous studies have found a connection between low levels of Ruminococcaceae species and depression. These findings expand what we already know about the gut-brain axis and how one can affect the other. "Future research should employ longitudinal designs and diverse populations to validate and expand upon these findings, as well as a more in-depth classification of microbes and their metabolic products, to further understand the role of gut microbiota in OCD," write the researchers. Down the line – and it's still a way off – we may have a new way to treat or prevent OCD, by controlling gut bacteria mixtures. For people living with the condition – and the families, friends, and clinicians who support them – this could eventually offer new hope. "Despite the utilization of cognitive behavioral therapy and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in OCD treatment, a notable 25–40 percent of patients experience suboptimal or no response to these interventions," write the researchers. "Moreover, the personal and societal toll of OCD is substantial." The research has been published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. The News Cycle Is a Stress Monster. But There's a Healthy Way to Stay Informed. Surprise Discovery About Sugar in The Brain Could Help Fight Alzheimer's Air Pollution 'Strongly Associated' With DNA Mutations Tied to Lung Cancer
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
OCD's Origins Might Not Lie in The Brain Like We Thought
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects up to 3 percent of people worldwide and remains one of the most challenging mental health conditions to treat effectively. That makes any fresh insight into OCD's root causes especially valuable – like a new study pointing to a surprising suspect: the bacteria living in our gut. The research from China explored how the gut microbiota – the complex community of bacteria that live in the digestive system – may influence whether a person develops OCD, and identified six types of bacteria that appear to be linked with the condition. A steady stream of studies has shown close connections between the brain and the gut, but this is the first to provide compelling evidence that gut bacteria may actually help cause it. The researchers used genetic data to strengthen the case for causation. Related: "Previous studies have indicated a potential link between the gut microbiota and OCD," write the researchers from Chongqing Medical University in their published paper. "However, the exact causal relationship remains uncertain." "Our analysis suggested that specific gut microbiota might have a causal relationship with OCD, revealing potential intervention strategies for the prevention and treatment of this disorder." To explore this link, the researchers used a genetic approach known as Mendelian randomization, which allows scientists to infer causality by analyzing genetic variants that influence both OCD and gut bacteria. They assessed links between genetic data and gut bacteria in a sample of 18,340 people, and the links between genetic data and OCD in a separate sample of 199,169 people. Although these were two discrete sets of data, the study used Mendelian randomization to essentially bridge the gap and connect gut bacteria patterns with OCD. Because our genes are fixed at birth and not shaped by environment or lifestyle, this method helps strengthen the case that gut bacteria might directly contribute to OCD, rather than just being an effect of it. However, more data and more controlled experiments will be needed to confirm a causal link. Three types of bacteria appeared to be protective against OCD: Proteobacteria, Ruminococcaceae, and Bilophila. Another three seemed to increase the risk of OCD: Bacillales, Eubacterium, and Lachnospiraceae UCG001. Interestingly, many of these bacteria have been linked with the brain before. For example, previous studies have found a connection between low levels of Ruminococcaceae species and depression. These findings expand what we already know about the gut-brain axis and how one can affect the other. "Future research should employ longitudinal designs and diverse populations to validate and expand upon these findings, as well as a more in-depth classification of microbes and their metabolic products, to further understand the role of gut microbiota in OCD," write the researchers. Down the line – and it's still a way off – we may have a new way to treat or prevent OCD, by controlling gut bacteria mixtures. For people living with the condition – and the families, friends, and clinicians who support them – this could eventually offer new hope. "Despite the utilization of cognitive behavioral therapy and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in OCD treatment, a notable 25–40 percent of patients experience suboptimal or no response to these interventions," write the researchers. "Moreover, the personal and societal toll of OCD is substantial." The research has been published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. The News Cycle Is a Stress Monster. But There's a Healthy Way to Stay Informed. Surprise Discovery About Sugar in The Brain Could Help Fight Alzheimer's Air Pollution 'Strongly Associated' With DNA Mutations Tied to Lung Cancer
Hans India
24-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Skin cancer surges worldwide in older men in last 30 years: Study
New Delhi: There has been a sharp uptick in the burden of skin cancer, especially in older adults, in the last three decades, according to a study. Besides ageing, researchers at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University in China attributed the surge to the increase in population growth. The study also cited a disproportionately higher burden of skin cancers in countries with higher sociodemographic index (SDI) levels. 'The older population (particularly male individuals and those living in high-SDI countries) is facing a substantial growing burden of skin cancer,' said the team in the paper published in JAMA Dermatology. 'The results highlight the urgency for more effective prevention and management strategies targeting high-risk groups,' they added. In the study, researchers analysed about 4.4 million new skin-cancer cases -- melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma -- recorded in 2021 among older adults aged above 65 years and older. The data is based on the Global Burden of Diseases 2021, covering 204 countries and territories. The findings showed that the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma -- that starts as a growth of cells on the skin -- soared by roughly 2 per cent per year from 1990 to 2021. Basal cell carcinoma -- most often develops on areas of skin exposed to the sun, such as the face; and melanoma -- the most serious type of skin cancer -- showed similarly steady gains. Further, the study found that squamous cell carcinoma produced the steepest toll in terms of healthy years lost (DALYs) by 2021 compared with three decades earlier. New Zealand and Australia recorded the highest 65 and older melanoma rates in 2021. East Asia experienced the most rapid rise in basal cell carcinoma burden from 1990 to 2021, with average annual percentage increases exceeding 6 per cent for incidence, prevalence, and DALYs. "These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted prevention strategies and resource allocation to address the growing public health challenge of skin cancer among the ageing population,' the researchers said.
