Scientists from Ireland, the UK and Italy have found a link between the gut microbiome, inflammation, and brain changes found in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers transplanted faecal bacteria from Alzheimer’s patients into young adult rats and found that the rats developed cognitive impairments at similar levels to the donor patients. Rats that received faecal transplants from age-matched people without Alzheimer’s disease did not develop symptoms.
This confirms a link between the gut microbiome and Alzheimer’s disease for the first time.
The study suggests that the gut microbiome is a key target for investigation into future treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
At PIM we have a particular interest in the gut microbiome and its many connections to our health and wellbeing. Contact us to learn more.
You can read the study here: https://academic.oup.com/brain/advance-article/doi/10.1093/brain/awad303/7308687
