W3 T1 P2

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Questions and Answers

What are the two primary factors considered when assessing the diversity of gut microbiota?

Oxygen levels and presence of eukaryotes
Abundance and type of viruses
pH level and enzyme concentration
Richness and evenness of species (correct)

Why is 'evenness' an important factor, in addition to 'richness', when evaluating the diversity of gut microbiota?

It simplifies the process of identifying rare bacterial species.
It directly correlates with the overall quantity of bacteria.
It prevents overestimation of diversity when a few species dominate. (correct)
It ensures only beneficial bacteria are counted.

What is the primary purpose of using 16s rRNA sequencing in studying gut microbiota composition?

To analyze the rRNA gene present in nearly all bacterial species. (correct)
To measure the overall volume of the gut.
To identify viral infections within the gut.
To determine the metabolic rate of gut bacteria.

In the context of gut microbiota analysis, what does 'abundance' refer to?

The quantity of each microbial species present. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Observational studies comparing gut microbiota of individuals with and without affective disorders commonly use which methodology?

16s rRNA sequencing (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is a more diverse gut microbiota generally considered beneficial for health?

It is associated with a greater variety of beneficial functions and resilience. (A) Signup and view all the answers

A gut microbiota community with high richness but low evenness suggests what?

A microbial ecosystem dominated by a few species. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of samples are typically taken in observational studies assessing the gut microbiota composition in individuals with affective disorders?

Gut microbiota samples to analyze bacterial composition. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In studies comparing the gut microbiota of individuals with affective disorders and healthy controls, what general trend is typically observed regarding microbial diversity?

Diversity is significantly reduced in patients with affective disorders. (D) Signup and view all the answers

If a patient's symptom severity is negatively correlated with gut microbial diversity, what does this imply?

Worsening symptoms are associated with decreased gut microbial diversity. (A) Signup and view all the answers

When analyzing bacterial abundance in individuals with anxiety compared to healthy controls, what are researchers primarily looking for?

Whether the levels of some bacteria are higher or lower in individuals with anxiety. (D) Signup and view all the answers

A study on depression reveals a decrease in Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium. Why might this be significant?

Bifidobacterium has health-related benefits, and Faecalibacterium has anti-inflammatory properties. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of affective disorders, what is the significance of increased levels of pro-inflammatory bacteria in the gut?

They can exacerbate inflammation and potentially worsen symptoms of the disorder. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which bacterial function is associated with the production of butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid with health benefits?

Anti-inflammatory activity (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between analyzing 'diversity' versus 'bacterial abundance' when studying gut microbiota?

Diversity examines the variety of species, while abundance focuses on the quantity of specific bacteria. (C) Signup and view all the answers

If a study identifies that individuals with depression have decreased richness of gut species, what does this suggest about their gut microbiome?

Their gut microbiome may be less resilient and have reduced functional capacity (B) Signup and view all the answers

A recent systematic review of case-control studies on bipolar disorder found which of the following regarding gut microbiota composition compared to healthy controls?

Decreased diversity, increased levels of pro-inflammatory bacteria, and reduced levels of anti-inflammatory bacteria. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to consider the wider literature rather than focusing solely on small-scale studies when examining gut microbiota in psychiatric conditions?

Small-scale studies may produce inflated and non-representative results due to factors such as population characteristics and geographical location. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In the JAMA Psychiatry meta-analysis of 59 case-control studies, what was the primary finding regarding overall gut microbiota diversity across the spectrum of psychiatric disorders?

No significant differences in overall diversity, except in bipolar disorder where diversity remained consistently decreased. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What implications can be made based on the finding that differences in microbial abundance between patients and healthy controls are not distinct according to disorder subtype?

There may be common underlying microbial patterns associated with psychiatric disorders, regardless of the specific diagnosis. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best explains the discrepancy between the initial findings of decreased diversity in individual studies of depression and bipolar disorder and the results of the meta-analysis?

The meta-analysis corrected for biases and confounding factors present in the individual studies. (B) Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is designing a study to investigate the gut microbiome in individuals with anxiety disorders. Based on the information, what should they consider to ensure the validity and generalizability of their findings?

Recruit a large sample size from diverse populations to account for variations in lifestyle, diet, and geographical factors. (C) Signup and view all the answers

If a new small-scale study finds significantly increased levels of a specific bacterial species in individuals with schizophrenia, how should these results be interpreted in light of the meta-analysis discussed?

The new findings should be viewed with caution and require replication in larger, more diverse samples due to the potential for inflated results in small-scale studies. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most significant conclusion that can be drawn from the presented information regarding the gut microbiota and psychiatric disorders?

A comprehensive approach, considering the broader literature and diverse populations, is essential for understanding the complex relationship between gut microbiota and psychiatric disorders. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Observational Studies (Gut Microbiota)

Studies that observe and compare gut microbiota composition between people with and without affective disorders.

16s rRNA Sequencing

A method used to analyze the rRNA gene in bacterial species to identify specific bacterial populations in the gut.