Microbiotia-Gut-Brain axis...say what?
There has been growing evidence in human, and veterinary, medicine to suggest that what is in the gut can influence brain development, function and even the course of disease. Many clients have a firm belief that food plays a role in a dog's epilepsy however it has been less clear to me what this role may be. Is it the gluten in the diet (as with some Border Terriers)? Or, is it the microbiome? Maybe both? Maybe neither?
Lactobacilli and the Influence on the Brain
Research suggests that Lactobacillus sp. can play a role on brain function in humans through it's anti-inflammatory properties and perhaps through the production of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter. What about dogs with epilepsy? Dr. Karen Munana investigated Lactobacilli in fecal samples of dogs with epilepsy and compared them to fecal samples of dogs without epilepsy. (See reference below)
No difference in absolute ore relative numbers of Lactobacillus species were found in drug-free epileptic dogs compared to healthy dogs. Furthermore, Lactobacilli were not killed in culture when exposed to phenobarbital, potassium bromide, zonisamide and levetiracetam.
For now, this means we don't see a difference in this important bacterial species. This DOESN'T mean that we may not find a difference in the future, and it DOES NOT mean that gut health isn't linked to canine epilepsy. I will keep my ear to the ground on this one and keep you posted on any breaking news on GI health-brain health linking.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and keep me posted on how I can help you, help your patients with neurologic disease!
*Muñana KR, Jacob ME, Callahan BJ. Evaluation of fecal Lactobacillus populations in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy: a pilot study. Anim Microbiome. 2020;2(1):19.