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Inter-individual variation shapes the human microbiome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 July 2019

Emily F. Wissel Open the ORCID record for Emily F. Wissel [Opens in a new window]  and
Leigh K. Smith
Emily F. Wissel
Affiliation:
Emory University School of Nursing, Wesley Woods Hospital, Atlanta, GA 30329. [email protected]
Leigh K. Smith
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA 95616. [email protected]
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Abstract

The target article suggests inter-individual variability is a weakness of microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) research, but we discuss why it is actually a strength. We comment on how accounting for individual differences can help researchers systematically understand the observed variance in microbiota composition, interpret null findings, and potentially improve the efficacy of therapeutic treatments in future clinical microbiome research.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 42 , 2019 , e79
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019 

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