Amy Wallis

Amy Wallis is a psychologist and PhD candidate at Victoria University, Footscray Park Campus, Melbourne, Australia. She is interested in the role between psychological symptoms and the microbiome in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) patients. Presently she is conducting a clinical trial investigating the efficacy of a treatment to restore gut dysbiosis in patients with ME/CFS who have high levels of Streptococcus. She, also, is examining the microgenderome, a term that describes the relationship between the microbiome, the immune system and sex hormones between males and females and if different treatment protocols are needed for the different genders.

Books

 * 2017, Chapter 31 - Sleep, Cognitive and Mood Symptoms in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, in The Handbook of Stress and Health: A Guide to Research and Practice"'Abstract - Sleep abnormalities, neurocognitive disturbances and comorbid depressive symptoms are some of the particularly debilitating symptoms experienced by patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). This complex condition with currently evasive etiology involves a multisystemic symptom presentation that can reflect dysfunction in several organs and biological systems. The microbiota-gut-brain axis provides one possible pathway where dysfunction in communication between enteric microbiota, the gastro-intestinal system, and the brain may precipitate some ME/CFS symptoms. Sleep, neurocognitive and depressive symptoms are examined with recent microbiome research highlighting the potential etiological role of dysfunction in gut-brain communication. Treatment alternatives are reviewed with a focus on addressing underlying pathophysiology and possible causal mechanisms. The burgeoning field of microbiota research across diverse health fields provides an avenue of hope for future therapeutic advances and improved health outcomes for patients with ME/CFS."

Notable Studies

 * 2016 - Support for the Microgenderome: Associations in a Human Clinical Population"'Abstract - The ‘microgenderome’ provides a paradigm shift that highlights the role of sex differences in the host-microbiota interaction relevant for autoimmune and neuro-immune conditions. Analysis of cross-sectional self-report and faecal microbial data from 274 patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) suggests that commensal gut microorganisms may play both protective and deleterious roles in symptom expression. Results revealed significant sex-specific interactions between Firmicutes (Clostridium, Streptococcus, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus) and ME/CFS symptoms (including neurological, immune and mood symptoms), regardless of compositional similarity in microbial levels across the sexes. Extending animal studies, we provide support for the microgenderome in a human clinical population. Applied and mechanistic research needs to consider sex-interactions when examining the composition and function of human microbiota.'"