Mark Heiman and the Scioto Biosciences team have been using their knowledge of the bi-directional interaction among the brain, gut, and gut microbiome by administering live bacterial therapeutics. The composition of the 100 trillion gut microorganisms plays a role in health and disease, and the opportunity to use microorganisms in the gut to develop effective therapies for neurological and digestive disorders has been gaining traction. The gut informs the central nervous system of its status through molecules derived from the microbiota, neuroactive substances, and gut hormones that travel to the brain through the enteric nervous system, vagus nerve, and circulatory or immune systems. Once in the brain receives these substances, it can generate an appropriate response to that physiological or pathological state. This gut-microbiota-brain axis impacts neurodevelopment. Heiman and his team are harnessing the vagus nerve pathway to areas of the brain responsible for social interaction and reward in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).