Gut bacteria could improve stroke recovery

German scientists examining ways to improve a patient's recovery after suffering a stroke have found that short chain fatty acids produced by friendly bacteria in the gut could help.  

JNeurosci recently published results of study in mice.  Researchers learned that mice that drank water with such fatty acids had a better recuperation after a medically produced stroke, compared to mice who didn't have the fatty acids.  

Improvements included a smaller loss of body function. It also found mice introduced to the fatty acids had more genes connected to the brain's immune cells, which could be the reason for a better prognosis. 

Short chain fatty acids are a big part of gut health, but up until this study, their role in aiding an improved outcome from stroke had not been examined.