Study of 200 Adults Links 3 Bacteria to Higher Psychopathic Traits

3 articles · Updated · HuffPost UK · Aug 13

A new Translational Psychiatry paper found Allisonella, Prevotella and C. evryensis were significantly associated with higher psychopathy scores in 200 healthy participants, while T. vincentii showed a negative link.
Stool, saliva and blood samples were matched against Self-Report Psychopathy Scale results, with higher levels of glucose and taurine also tracking with greater callousness, manipulation, impulsivity and anti-sociality.
The researchers said brain-structure findings alone do not fully explain psychopathic behavior, prompting them to test whether gut and oral microbiota might help account for subclinical traits.
The study does not show causation, but the authors said the associations could help identify biological pathways behind psychopathy; Prevotella and Allisonella have already been tied to psychiatric effects and inflammation.