{
  "id": 14284528,
  "title": "Exploring the role of multivariate associations between brain networks and gut microbiota in (food) value-based decision-making",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/exploring-the-role-of-multivariate-associations-between-brain",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-13T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.12.758555v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Exploring the intricate relationship between brain networks, gut microbiota, and food value-based decision-making is a crucial area of research. The study delves into how stress and negative emotions can influence these processes, increasing the risk of overeating high-calorie, ultra-processed foods and potentially exacerbating obesity. However, not all individuals display such behavioral shifts under stress, emphasizing the need to identify modulating factors that account for inter-individual variability. Emerging research suggests that alterations in gut microbiota, induced by anxiety or stress, could alter reward sensitivity through the gut-brain axis. To better understand these complex interconnections, a novel framework is proposed, linking microbiota, neural, and affective processes. Utilizing a method called supervised linked independent component analysis (Super- BigFLICA), the researchers examined multivariate gut-brain latent components guided by affective and body composition indexes in a large cohort of 592 healthy participants from the Healthy Brain Study. By employing general linear models, the study identified a multimodal component that predicted both elevated unhealthy food valuation and choice in a food auction task. This component was marked by simultaneous changes in specific gut bacterial genera, such as UCG-010 and DTU089, distinct connectivity patterns between reward-related brain regions like the nucleus accumbens and caudate, and a strong association with heightened anxiety sensitivity, life-event impact, and body mass index. These findings not only showcase the potential of combining gut-brain data for behavior prediction but also introduce a novel phenotype that ties together microbiota composition, brain function, and emotional state, warranting further exploration.",
  "summary": "Food reward valuation and decision making are key psychological processes regulating eating behaviour. Stress and negative affect can shape these processes, increasing vulnerability to overeating high caloric, ultra-processed foods and thereby elevating obesity risk. Yet not all individuals under stress exhibit such behavioural shifts, highlighting the need to understand which modulating factors…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}