**The Gut Speaks: How a Common Fungus Affects Alcohol Consumption in Mice**
Researchers at Tufts University have revealed an intriguing interaction between gut fungi and brain chemistry that influences alcohol intake. Their study, published in mBio on October 16, shows that Candida albicans, a widespread gut fungus, reduces alcohol consumption by altering brain signaling in mice.
**Candida albicans and Alcohol Aversion**
C. albicans, frequently found in individuals with alcohol use disorder, has been shown to enhance the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the bloodstream. This chemical signal penetrates the blood-brain barrier, affecting dopamine receptor expression in the dorsal striatum, a brain area key to processing rewards and aversions. In controlled tests, mice with C. albicans colonization opted for water over a 15% ethanol solution. This effect disappeared when PGE2 receptors were blocked, indicating a direct causal connection.
**Mechanistic Insights into Alcohol Behavior**
Administering a stable PGE2 analog to uncolonized mice replicated the alcohol reduction observed with C. albicans colonization, underscoring the role of PGE2. The affected mice also exhibited heightened motor impairment and sedation when exposed to ethanol, aligning more with aversion learning due to decreased dopamine receptor expression.
**Broader Implications and Future Directions**
While this study involved ethanol-naive mice, the implications for addressing alcohol use disorder in humans are compelling. As existing treatments for alcohol addiction are limited, understanding the influence of fungi could open doors for innovative therapeutic strategies. Trials examining fungal load and PGE2 levels in humans, paired with microbiome interventions, may provide fresh insights into relapse prevention.
This research underscores the important, yet frequently neglected, role fungi play alongside bacteria in the gut-brain axis. As the study concludes, the mice’s preference for water over ethanol was not a conscious decision but a result of biochemical signals—a potential mechanism for modifying addictive behaviors.