102-18: Microbiome, Gut, Hormones, Brain Connections in Mental Health/Addictions

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102-18: Microbiome, Gut, Hormones, Brain Connections in Mental Health/Addictions

This session includes the two presentations described below.

This nurse researcher uses plain language to explain how she studies altered gut permeability in patients with previously negative clinical findings, revealing microscopic changes in the GI tract in response to stress. She is able to demonstrate with science that chronic abdominal pain is not just “all in your head”. 
Presenter: Wendy A. Henderson, PhD, MSN, CRNP, FAAN

This presentation details how gut-brain axis, using the neurohormone ghrelin, is studied in addictions research. Ghrelin signals the brain for food seeking and reward, and may help to explain alcohol seeking behaviors. The goal of this research is new drug development for the treatment of addictive disorders. 
Presenter: Lorenzo Leggio, MD, PhD, MSc

Disclosures: Lorenzo Leggio, MD, PhD, MSc has indicated a significant financial interest or other affiliation with UK MCA and Oxford Press (honorarium) and Routeledge (book royalties). Wendy A. Henderson, PhD, MSN, CRNP, FAAN, has no conflict of interest or commercial support to disclose. Off-label uses will be discussed during this presentation. The activity planners have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Session Length:  1 Hour 52 minutes

Target Audience:  RN, APRN


Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this presentation, the participant will be able to:

  1. Explore the role of the microbiome-gut-brain axis in addictions and mental health.
  2. Discuss the complexity of the bidirectional communications between the brain and the periphery by providing examples from basic science and human research.

Keywords: Gut-Brain Axis, Microbiome, Addictions, Research, Psychopharmacology


Continuing Nursing Education:
1.75 pharmacology contact hours.  * In order to receive contact hours, you must: Listen to presentation, complete an evaluation, and earn a passing score on the post-test before the expiration date. You will have 5 tries to correctly answer the questions on the post-test and a score of 80% is required to pass. Once you have passed and completed an evaluation, the certificate will be generated online, available for you to print immediately. You cannot earn credit unless all steps are completed.

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.


Originally Presented
APNA 16th Annual Clinical Psychopharmacology Institute
Baltimore, Maryland
Friday, June 8, 2018
9:45am - 11:45am

The contact hours for this session expire: January 1, 2022

Components visible upon registration.