Study links early antibiotic use to increased aggressive behaviors

JERUSALEM, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) — A new study by Israeli and Finnish researchers suggests a link between early-life exposure to antibiotics and increased aggression later in life, Israel’s Bar Ilan University said in a statement on Wednesday.
The research, published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, found that mice exposed to antibiotics during critical developmental stages exhibited more aggressive behavior. The study also identified changes in the brain and gut microbiome associated with this aggression.
The researchers believe that these findings could have important implications for understanding and treating aggression-related disorders. They suggest that early-life antibiotic use may disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, which in turn can affect brain development and behavior.
The study’s authors hope that their findings will lead to further research and the development of new strategies to prevent or treat aggression. ■