Enterochromaffin Cells
Plain-English definitions of microbiome research vocabulary — the terms you'll see across articles, testing services, and probiotic claims.
Specialised cells in the gut lining that produce approximately 95% of the body's serotonin. Their activity is directly influenced by the gut microbiome, making them a key link in the gut-brain axis.
Related terms
Gut-Brain Axis
The bidirectional communication system between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system, involving neural, hormonal, and immune pathways. The microbiome plays a central role in this communication.
Vagus Nerve
The longest cranial nerve, connecting the brainstem to the abdomen. It is the primary communication channel of the gut-brain axis, with approximately 80% of its fibres carrying signals from the gut to the brain.