In a fascinating review of clinical research on the impacts of microbes on human behavior, Kathleen McAuliffe provides a microbiological perspective to the ageold questions: “Is there such a thing as free will?” and “Am I captain of my ship?” In her talk, she explores the microbiotas in our gut and their potential influences on our brains and neurological disorders. For more context on research discussed in this talk, see below:

4:44 (clarification): Further investigation is warranted to understand the role of gut inflammation in depression. For more see here: https://www.nih.gov/newsevents/nihr...

6:52 (clarification): The molecule discussed here is 4EPS, a bacterial metabolite. The relationship between gut microbiota and autism spectrum disorders remains an ongoing field of study. For more see here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s4158...

Highlighting ongoing clinical medical and pharmaceutical research, Kathleen provides exciting news about the efforts to identify good and bad bacteria actors that potentially influence various neuropsychiatric conditions and possible new therapies that could forever change how we treat disease. Kathleen McAuliffe is the author of the book This Is Your Brain On Parasites: How Tiny Creatures Manipulate Our Behavior and Shape Society (Houghton Mifflin), a bestseller in parasitology and microbiology that has been translated into six languages. In addition, she has written articles for over a dozen national magazines, including Discover, The New York Times, The Atlantic, US News & World Report, Smithsonian, and the Los Angeles Times. Earlier in her career, she was a health columnist for More Magazine, and a senior science editor at US News & World Report and Omni Magazine.

In addition to writing, McAuliffe is an adjunct professor at the University of Miami where she alternates each semester between teaching a course on the human microbiome and environmental journalism.

McAuliffe was educated at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, obtaining an M.A. in natural science after graduating with firstclass honors (highest distinction). This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx