Gut microbiota taxa Enterorhabdus, Family XIII AD3011 group, Paraprevotella, and Lachnospiraceae UCG004 are associated with increased insomnia risk, while Coprococcus1, Coprobacter, Desulfovibrio, Flavonifractor, Olsenella, Odoribacter, and Oscillibacter are linked to decreased insomnia risk.
A Mendelian randomization study of European ancestry individuals identified multiple genus-level gut microbial taxa with potential causal effects on insomnia risk. Four taxa were associated with increased risk, and seven with decreased risk, with results robust across sensitivity analyses.
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 Enterorhabdus, Family XIII AD3011 group, Paraprevotella, and Lachnospiraceae UCG004 are associated with increased insomnia risk, while Coprococcus1, Coprobacter, Desulfovibrio, Flavonifractor, Olsenella, Odoribacter, and Oscillibacter are linked to decreased insomnia risk. The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 32/100 (low).
The Claim
Gut microbiota taxa Enterorhabdus, Family XIII AD3011 group, Paraprevotella, and Lachnospiraceae UCG004 are associated with increased insomnia risk, while Coprococcus1, Coprobacter, Desulfovibrio, Flavonifractor, Olsenella, Odoribacter, and Oscillibacter are linked to decreased insomnia risk.
This conclusion is most relevant to: Individuals of European ancestry (GWAS summary 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 metabolites that influence brain function via the microbiota-gut-brain axis
- ▸Specific bacterial taxa may modulate neurotransmitter synthesis or inflammatory pathways
- ▸Altered microbial composition affects sleep-regulating neural circuits
- ▸Result: Increased or decreased insomnia risk depending on taxa
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Individuals of European ancestry (GWAS summary data from MiBioGen, Neale Lab, and FinnGen)
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Mendelian randomization cannot fully exclude confounding or reverse causation
- ▸Study population limited to European ancestry, limiting generalizability
- ▸GWAS summary data may not capture dynamic changes in microbiota over time
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mendelian randomization?▼
Mendelian randomization uses genetic variants as instrumental variables to infer causal relationships between an exposure (e.g., gut microbiota) and an outcome (e.g., insomnia), reducing confounding.
Which gut bacteria were linked to higher insomnia risk?▼
Enterorhabdus, Family XIII AD3011 group, Paraprevotella, and Lachnospiraceae UCG004 were associated with increased insomnia risk.
Can these findings be used to develop treatments?▼
The study suggests potential therapeutic targets, but further clinical trials are needed to confirm causality and develop interventions.
Were there different effects for different insomnia symptoms?▼
Yes, specific taxa were linked to trouble falling asleep (e.g., Eisenbergiella increased risk) and waking too early (e.g., Family XIII UCG001 increased risk).
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