Now Reading: Gut bacteria linked to psychopathic traits in preliminary study
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Gut bacteria linked to psychopathic traits in preliminary study
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…
The Story in Brief
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.
The Indian Opinion
The lazy headline is that gut bacteria create psychopaths. The equally sweeping counterclaim would be that the study means nothing. Neither is justified. This is an early association involving 200 people, self-reported scores and no proof of cause and effect. Diet and hormonal differences may explain the microbial pattern. The useful test is replication with larger, diverse groups and controlled diets, followed by research that can show whether changing microbes changes psychopathic-trait scores.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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