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The discovery of the existence of a neurotransmitter transport mechanism in some probiotics is disclosed as well as a method to identify suitable probiotic strains with high potential to modulate neurotransmitter levels in an animal or human host.

Probiotics are designated as living microorganisms that may be used for both maintenance of health as well as treatment of specific clinical conditions ranging from gastrointestinal infections to the treatment of neuropsychiatric-related behavioral issues. Probiotics are also extensively used in the farm production industry (chickens, pigs and cattle) as well as in the treatment of companion animals (dogs, cats, horses).

The inventor (Dr. Lyte) first proposed the creation of the field of microbial endocrinology in 1992 and recent research reports dramatic effects of microbes from the gut on mental function. Dr. Lyte reports in this disclosure that certain probiotic strains possess a neurotransmitter transporter system that would provide a mechanism by which to select probiotics for defined conditions, i.e., tailor the probiotic strain to the treatment. The identification of a neurotransmitter transporter system is reported to be novel. In addition, this disclosure identified an assay that can be used as the first step of a screening process to select potentially beneficial probiotic strains.

This technology is related to ISURF 4644: Probiotic treatment of gut inflammation and ISURF 4816: Genetic Elements in Enterococcus spp. to Produce Dopamine

• Ability to identify probiotic strains influencing neurotransmitter levels.

• Simple screening method.

Discovery of beneficial probiotics capable to transport neurotransmitters