"Why I am so interested in the microbiome across development is because it really shows a very interesting developmental gradient that closely maps on to other parts of the body and the brain in terms of sensitive periods of emotional development and language. There is also a really taut connection between the mother and child in terms of what the microbiome looks like across the lifespan."
Areas covered: We discuss the paradigm shift that is taking place throughout medicine in appreciating the central role that the microbiome plays in many diseases. We review the animal research on the impact of gut bacteria on the development of depression. We learn about the development of the infant's microbiome at birth and the biologic synchronicity with the mother through breastfeeding. We learn about the importance of early exposure to environmental bacteria in a child's development. Dr. Callaghan shares with us her research on the impact of early adversity on the later development of dysbiosis in the gut and its related anxiety and depression. It is noted that psychotherapy can lead to alterations in the microbiome.
Our Guest: Bridget Callaghan, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She is a faculty member in the Psychology Department, heading her research lab ‘The Brain and Body Lab’, and the UCLA Microbiome Center. Dr. Callaghan studies how early caregiving environments influence the development of mental and physical health, and how interactions between the brain and body contribute to health and disease. She takes a translational approach in her work, performing studies in rats, as well as working with human populations, particularly children, teens, and adults who have experienced early life adversities. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, her Master’s in Clinical Psychology, and her Ph.D. at the University of New South Wales, Australia. She has worked clinically in the field of developmental psychology and completed her postdoctoral training at Columbia University in New York. Dr. Callaghan’s research has been generously funded through the National Institutes of Mental Health, Brain Behavior Research Foundation, and National Health and Medical Research Council. Dr. Callaghan was recently named a Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Science.