Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40498140›Full record

ArticleMetabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society2025

Exploring the use of exhaled breath profiling for non-invasive monitoring of cognitive functioning in children: a pilot study.

Joris Meurs, Ben Henderson, Claudia van Dun, Guilherme Lopes Batitsta, Evangelia Sakkoula, Janna A van Diepen, Gabriele Gross, Esther Aarts, Simona M Cristescu

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Article in Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Joris MeursDepartment of Analytical Chemistry and Chemometrics, Life Science Trace Detection Laboratory, Institute of Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Ben HendersonDepartment of Analytical Chemistry and Chemometrics, Life Science Trace Detection Laboratory, Institute of Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Claudia van DunDonders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Guilherme Lopes BatitstaDepartment of Analytical Chemistry and Chemometrics, Life Science Trace Detection Laboratory, Institute of Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Evangelia SakkoulaDepartment of Analytical Chemistry and Chemometrics, Life Science Trace Detection Laboratory, Institute of Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Janna A van DiepenReckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition Institute, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Gabriele GrossReckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition Institute, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Esther Aarts *Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Simona M Cristescu *Department of Analytical Chemistry and Chemometrics, Life Science Trace Detection Laboratory, Institute of Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. simona.cristescu@ru.nl.

Funding

European Regional Development Fund PROJ-00405Horizon 2020 818110
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionChildhood is a critical period for the development of executive functioning skills, including selective attention and inhibitory control, which are essential for cognitive development. Optimal brain development during this time requires appropriate levels of macronutrient intake. Metabolomics can offer valuable insights into which metabolites cognitive functioning and the underlying gut-brain interactions.

objectivesThis study aimed to explore to use of breathomics to investigate associations between exhaled metabolites and executive functioning in children.

methodsChildren (8-10 years; N = 31) were recruited via flyers at schools and after-school care. The assessment of executive functioning was done using Eriksen flanker task. Breath samples were collected in Tedlar

resultsGut microbiome-related metabolites (methane, ethanol, and butyric acid) present in exhaled breath were associated with an improved executive functioning, whereas isoprene was linked to reduced executive functioning. Additionally, increased levels of inflammatory markers, ethylene and acetaldehyde, were associated with a higher compatibility effect in error rates, suggesting diminished cognitive control. These VOCs were putatively linked with specific gut microbial taxa; for instance, reduced Bacteroidetes abundance (associated with methane production) is associated with decreased inhibitory control, while Enterobacteriaceae were linked to lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation which is also a process that causes increased ethylene production.

conclusionThis proof-of-concept study demonstrates that VOCs in exhaled breath could serve as a promising non-invasive tool for assessing gut-brain interactions related to executive functioning in children.

Indexed as

CognitionBreath TestsChildExecutive FunctionExhalationFemaleGastrointestinal MicrobiomeHumansMaleMetabolomicsPilot ProjectsExecutive functioningExhaled breath profilingGut-brain axisGut MicrobiomePTR-MSVolatile organic compounds

Identifiers

PMID40498140
PMCPMC12158853

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