Antibiotics in Early Life Slows Digestive Nerve Function, Alters Microbiome

Article title: Antibiotic exposure postweaning disrupts the neurochemistry and function of enteric neurons mediating colonic motor activity

Authors: Lin Y. Hung, Pavitha Parathan, Prapaporn Boonma, Qinglong Wu, Yi Wang, Anthony Haag, Ruth Ann Luna, Joel C. Bornstein, Tor C. Savidge, Jaime P. P. Foong

From the authors: "The postweaning period is associated with significant and concurrent maturation of the [eneric nervous system] and microbiota, but the impact of antibiotic exposure on the gut during this time remains unclear. We found that vancomycin exposure during the postweaning period significantly affected both alpha- and beta-diversity of the microbiota as well as community composition."

This study is highlighted as one of July’s "best of the best" as part of the American Physiological Society's APSselect program.