# Gut bacteria linked to psychopathic traits in preliminary study 2026-08-15T12:31:32+00:00 | Health & Science | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet A study of 200 adults has linked certain gut bacteria with stronger psychopathic traits, though it did not establish that microbes cause behaviour. Researchers led by University of Porto scientist Carolina Costa analysed questionnaires and blood, saliva and faecal samples. They found higher levels of Allisonella, Prevotella and C. evryensis among participants with stronger traits, while T. vincentii showed the opposite association. Faecal glucose and taurine levels also differed between groups. The study, reported in Translational Psychiatry as an unedited, yet-to-be-peer-reviewed paper, examined subclinical traits found to varying degrees in the wider population. The researchers said the findings were correlational and based on a relatively small, self-reported sample. Diet, hormones or behaviour could have shaped the microbiome, rather than the reverse. Psychopathic traits do not automatically imply violence or criminality. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: Carolina Costa, University of Porto Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/gut-bacteria-linked-to-psychopathic-traits-in-preliminary-study/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/gut-bacteria-linked-to-psychopathic-traits-in-preliminary-study/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.