Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that individuals in the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s have distinct gut bacteria compared to healthy peers, suggesting the gut microbiome might help predict or treat dementia. The study, conducted on cognitively normal participants, highlighted the gut-brain link, but it remains unclear if gut changes cause brain changes or vice versa.
The gut microbiota of individuals with pre-symptomatic Alzheimer’s differs from those of healthy people.
Individuals in the initial phase of Alzheimer’s disease, where brain alterations have started but before cognitive symptoms become apparent, have a distinct mix of gut bacteria compared to healthy individuals, reveals a study conducted by the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
This research, recently published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, suggests the potential to examine the gut’s bacterial composition to pinpoint those at an elevated risk for dementia. It also introduces the prospect of creating treatments that modify the microbiome to help prevent cognitive deterioration.
“We don’t yet know whether the gut is influencing the brain or the brain is influencing the gut, but this association is valuable to know in either case,” said co-corresponding author Gautam Dantas, Ph.D., the Conan Professor of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine. “It could be that the changes in the gut microbiome are just a readout of pathological changes in the brain. The other alternative is that the gut microbiome is contributing to Alzheimer’s disease, in which case altering the gut microbiome with probiotics or fecal transfers might help change the course of the disease.”
The idea of studying the connection between the gut microbiome and Alzheimer’s disease came together at a youth soccer game, where Dantas and Beau M. Ances, MD, Ph.D., the Daniel J. Brennan Professor of Neurology, chatted while their children played. Ances treats and studies people with Alzheimer’s disease; Dantas is an expert on the gut microbiome.
Scientists already knew that the gut microbiomes of people with symptomatic Alzheimer’s differ from the microbiomes of healthy people of the same age. But, Ances told Dantas, nobody had yet looked at the gut microbiomes of people in the critical pre-symptomatic phase.
HOMEHEALTH NEWS
Alzheimer’s Alert: Your Gut Bacteria Could Provide an Early Warning
TOPICS:Alzheimer’sBrainDementiaGutWashington University In St. Louis
By WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AUGUST 21, 2023
Brain Fading Dementia Alzheimer’s
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that individuals in the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s have distinct gut bacteria compared to healthy peers, suggesting the gut microbiome might help predict or treat dementia. The study, conducted on cognitively normal participants, highlighted the gut-brain link, but it remains unclear if gut changes cause brain changes or vice versa.
The gut microbiota of individuals with pre-symptomatic Alzheimer’s differs from those of healthy people.
Individuals in the initial phase of Alzheimer’s disease, where brain alterations have started but before cognitive symptoms become apparent, have a distinct mix of gut bacteria compared to healthy individuals, reveals a study conducted by the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
This research, recently published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, suggests the potential to examine the gut’s bacterial composition to pinpoint those at an elevated risk for dementia. It also introduces the prospect of creating treatments that modify the microbiome to help prevent cognitive deterioration.
“We don’t yet know whether the gut is influencing the brain or the brain is influencing the gut, but this association is valuable to know in either case,” said co-corresponding author Gautam Dantas, Ph.D., the Conan Professor of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine. “It could be that the changes in the gut microbiome are just a readout of pathological changes in the brain. The other alternative is that the gut microbiome is contributing to Alzheimer’s disease, in which case altering the gut microbiome with probiotics or fecal transfers might help change the course of the disease.”
The idea of studying the connection between the gut microbiome and Alzheimer’s disease came together at a youth soccer game, where Dantas and Beau M. Ances, MD, Ph.D., the Daniel J. Brennan Professor of Neurology, chatted while their children played. Ances treats and studies people with Alzheimer’s disease; Dantas is an expert on the gut microbiome.
Scientists already knew that the gut microbiomes of people with symptomatic Alzheimer’s differ from the microbiomes of healthy people of the same age. But, Ances told Dantas, nobody had yet looked at the gut microbiomes of people in the critical pre-symptomatic phase.
I – Word Understanding
1, Gut – the stomach or belly.
2, Dementia – is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.
3, Microbiomeis – the collection of all microbes, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and their genes, that naturally live on our bodies and inside us.
4, Deterioration – become worse or of less value.
5, Intervene – to become involved intentionally in a difficult situation in order to change it or improve it, or prevent it from getting worse.
II – Have Your Say
1, How do bacteria in the gut control the brain?
2, Why gut bacteria affect human behavior?
3, Could your gut bacteria influence how intelligent you are?
4, How does Alzheimer’s affect personality?
5, Does Alzheimer’s affect emotion and behavior?
969 Alzheimer’s Alert: Your Gut Bacteria Could Provide an Early Warning
