Gut microbiota taxa are causally associated with insomnia risk in European ancestry individuals
A Mendelian randomization study identified that Enterorhabdus, Family XIII AD3011 group, Paraprevotella, and Lachnospiraceae UCG004 increase insomnia risk, while Coprococcus1, Coprobacter, Desulfovibrio, Flavonifractor, Olsenella, Odoribacter, and Oscillibacter decrease risk. For specific insomnia phenotypes, Eisenbergiella increased risk of trouble falling asleep, while Haemophilus and Eubacterium brachy group reduced it; Family XIII UCG001, Lachnospiraceae FCS020 group, and Olsenella increased risk of waking too early, while Eubacterium brachy group and Victivallis reduced it.
This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.
Gut microbiota taxa are causally associated with insomnia risk in European ancestry individuals The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 34/100 (low).
The Claim
Gut microbiota taxa are causally associated with insomnia risk in European ancestry individuals
This conclusion is most relevant to: Individuals of European ancestry (GWAS data from MiBioGen, Neale Lab, and FinnGen).
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Appraising the Effects of Gut Microbiota on Insomnia Risk Through Genetic Causal Analysis. (American journal of medical genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric genetics : the official publication of the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics, 2025) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Gut microbiota produce neuroactive metabolites (e.g., short-chain fatty acids, neurotransmitters)
- ▸These metabolites influence the gut-brain axis via vagus nerve, immune, or endocrine pathways
- ▸Altered signaling affects hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and sleep-regulating brain regions
- ▸Result: Modulation of insomnia risk
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Individuals of European ancestry (GWAS data from MiBioGen, Neale Lab, and FinnGen)
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Mendelian randomization cannot establish direct causality at the individual level; results reflect genetic predisposition
- ▸Study limited to European ancestry, reducing generalizability to other populations
- ▸Abstract does not report specific effect sizes or confidence intervals for each taxon
Frequently Asked Questions
What gut bacteria were associated with increased insomnia risk?▼
Enterorhabdus, Family XIII AD3011 group, Paraprevotella, and Lachnospiraceae UCG004 were linked to higher insomnia risk.
Did the study find any bacteria that protect against insomnia?▼
Yes, Coprococcus1, Coprobacter, Desulfovibrio, Flavonifractor, Olsenella, Odoribacter, and Oscillibacter were associated with decreased insomnia risk.
What method was used to test causality?▼
The study used Mendelian randomization with inverse-variance weighted (IVW) as the primary method, plus several sensitivity analyses.
Can changing diet to alter gut microbiota help with insomnia?▼
This study provides genetic evidence for causal links, but direct dietary intervention studies are needed to confirm whether modifying these bacteria affects insomnia.
References
- 1.Li P, Wang S, Li J, Xiao Z, Zhu H, Sheng D, Liu W, Xiao B, Zhou L. “Appraising the Effects of Gut Microbiota on Insomnia Risk Through Genetic Causal Analysis..” American journal of medical genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric genetics : the official publication of the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics, 2025. PMID: 39754389 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.33021