Gut Microbiome and Cognitive Wellness

In our earlier discussion, we highlighted the altered abundance of bacteria in the brains of AD patients, pinpointing significant species such as Cutibacterium acnes, Acinetobacter, and Comamonas genera and a potential link between the brain microbiome and AD pathogenesis.

A more recent study, published in October, , has contributed compelling evidence of the gut microbiota's involvement in the development of Alzheimer's disease. This study utilized the technique of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), transferring gut microbiota from Alzheimer's patients to healthy young rats. The outcomes were profound, as the transplanted microbiota induced memory impairment and a reduction in pattern separation—an essential ability to distinguish between highly similar events or environments.

The study's findings emphasize a critical correlation between specific microbial compositions and cognitive performance in Alzheimer's disease. Notably, the decrease in the abundance of Coprococcus, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producer associated with healthy aging, and the concurrent increase in the disease-associated Desulfovibrio in AD patients, underscore the potential influence of the gut microbiome on cognitive functions.

The potential to mitigate cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease through novel therapeutic approaches targeting the gut microbiome is a promising avenue worth exploring. By understanding and manipulating the microbial compositions associated with cognitive decline, researchers may unlock innovative strategies for slowing or preventing the progression of Alzheimer's disease.


REFERENCE

Grabrucker S, Marizzoni M, Silajdžić E, Lopizzo N, Mombelli E, Nicolas S, Dohm-Hansen S, Scassellati C, Moretti DV, Rosa M, Hoffmann K, Cryan JF, O'Leary OF, English JA, Lavelle A, O'Neill C, Thuret S, Cattaneo A, Nolan YM. Microbiota from Alzheimer's patients induce deficits in cognition and hippocampal neurogenesis. Brain. 2023 Oct 18:awad303. doi: 10.1093/brain/awad303. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37849234.

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