Story perspectives

Childhood Gut Microbiome Linked to Later Anxiety Risks

10/31/2025

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Summary

Story summary

UCLA Health study finds that a child's gut microbiome at age 2 is linked to later anxiety.
It also links higher levels of Clostridiales and Lachnospiraceae to internalizing symptoms by age 7½.
Researchers identify brain connectivity related to emotional regulation as a mechanism.
The Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) project provided data from 55 participants.
Future work may identify specific bacteria for interventions like probiotics or diet.

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Story summary

UCLA Health study finds that a child's gut microbiome at age 2 is linked to later anxiety.
It also links higher levels of Clostridiales and Lachnospiraceae to internalizing symptoms by age 7½.
Researchers identify brain connectivity related to emotional regulation as a mechanism.
The Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) project provided data from 55 participants.
Future work may identify specific bacteria for interventions like probiotics or diet.