Specific bacteria in the gut prompt mother mice to neglect their pups

Amazing stuff! We still know so little about the multitude of bacteria living in our gut and their effects on behavior and the brain!

"As scientists learn more about the microorganisms that colonize the body—collectively called the microbiota—one area of intense interest is the effect that these microbes can have on the brain. A new study led by Salk Institute scientists has identified a strain of E. coli bacteria that, when living in the guts of female mice, causes them to neglect their offspring. ... 
“To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that the intestinal microbiota is important for promoting healthy maternal behavior and bonding between mom and offspring in an animal model,” ...
“It adds to the ever-growing evidence that there’s a gut-brain connection, and that microbes are important for regulating the behavior of the host that they’re inhabiting.” ..."

"Maternal behavior is necessary for optimal development and growth of offspring. The intestinal microbiota has emerged as a critical regulator of growth and development in the early postnatal period life. Here, we describe the identification of an intestinal Escherichia coli strain that is pathogenic to the maternal-offspring system during the early postnatal stage of life and results in growth stunting of the offspring. ..."

Specific bacteria in the gut prompt mother mice to neglect their pups - Salk Institute for Biological Studies Salk researchers make unexpected discoveries about how a particular microbe influences animal behavior

Here is the link to the referenced paper:

Microbiota control of maternal behavior regulates early postnatal growth of offspring