Interoceptomimetics: Dietary Supplements to Enhance Exercise Motivation and Performance

Enhancing exercise performance by modulating the activity of motivation-generating brain regions via stimulation of cannabinoid (CB1) receptors of the enteric nervous system.
Problem:
An increase in sedentary lifestyles driven by the modernization of society has led to a surge in several metabolic and neurological diseases worldwide. Although exercise is an essential and accessible method to reduce the risk of such illnesses, there is a general lack of motivation for exercising. Moreover, influencing motivation by pharmacologically engaging the brain directly has been impeded by the presence of the blood-brain barrier.
Solution:
Interoceptomimetics are dietary supplements that stimulate the activity of interoceptive circuits in the gut, which are neural circuits connecting the gut-innervating sensory system to the brain. These supplements alter activity in specific brain regions by stimulating the peripheral enteric neural network, increasing exercise motivation and performance.
Technology:
Using a machine-learning approach, the inventors assessed both genetic and non-genetic parameters associated with higher exercise performance in mice. They concluded that the intestinal microbiome regulates exercise performance. On further investigation, they identified specific bacterial stains that stimulate the neurotransmitter dopamine secretion in the brain's reward circuits. More specifically, the bacterial strains were synthesizing specific fatty acid amide (FAA) metabolites that also serve as an agonist to the endocannabinoid CB1 receptor. Finally, the inventors demonstrated that both bacterial strains engineered for FAA synthesis or an oral administration of the specific FAA amides increase exercise motivation and performance in mice.
Advantages:

The dietary supplement allows tuning the activity of motivation-generating brain regions using peripheral intervention.
The manipulation of neuronal pathways communicating between the gut and the reward and motivation-generating regions of the brain can be leveraged for other disorders.
Interoceptomimetics presents a powerful opportunity to counteract the detrimental health impact of a sedentary lifestyle.

Stage of Development: