Findings from a recent study suggest that taking a probiotic could help prevent the decline in memory and considering that may accompany aging. This research may pave the best way for brand spanking new, non-invasive treatments that leverage the gut microbiome to mitigate cognitive decline within the aging population.
The researchers found that when study participants with mild cognitive impairment received the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) for 3 months, their cognitive scores increased. This cognitive improvement was also related to changes of their gut microbiome.
The implication of this finding is kind of exciting, because it implies that modifying the gut microbiome through probiotics could potentially be a technique to enhance cognitive performance, particularly in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. This adds a recent layer to our understanding of the microbiome brain-gut connection and opens up recent avenues for combating cognitive decline related to aging.”
Mashael Aljumaah, a microbiology doctoral candidate on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University
Aljumaah, who can also be affiliated with King Saud University in Saudi Arabia, will present the findings at NUTRITION 2023, the annual flagship meeting of the American Society for Nutrition held July 22-25 in Boston.
“Many studies give attention to severe types of cognitive diseases equivalent to Alzheimer’s and dementia, but these conditions are more advanced, making them significantly harder to reverse or treat,” said Aljumaah. “In contrast, we focused on mild cognitive impairment, which might include problems with memory, language, or judgment. Interventions at this stage of cognitive impairment could decelerate or prevent the progression to more severe types of dementia.”
The study involved 169 participants between 52 and 75 years old who were divided into two groups depending on whether or not they had no neurological issues or mild cognitive impairment. Inside each group, participants either received the LGG probiotic or a placebo in a double-blind, randomized clinical trial lasting three months. The researchers chosen the LGG probiotic because prior research had shown its potential useful effects in animal models.
To research the study participants’ gut microbiomes, the researchers used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to discover and compare bacteria present in stool samples. They then used whole genome sequencing to achieve insights into the functional roles of the bacteria identified.
The evaluation revealed that microbes within the genus Prevotella were present in a better relative abundance in participants with mild cognitive impairment than those with no cognitive impairment. This means that gut microbiome composition could function an early indicator for mild cognitive impairment, offering opportunities for earlier interventions to slow cognitive decline.
For study participants who had mild cognitive impairment and received the LGG probiotics, the Prevotella relative abundance decreased. This modification coincided with improved cognitive scores, suggesting that cognitive health in older adults might be improved by manipulating the gut microbiota.
“By identifying specific shifts within the gut microbiome related to mild cognitive impairment, we’re exploring a recent frontier in preventive strategies in cognitive health,” said Aljumaah. “If these findings are replicated in future studies, it suggests the feasibility of using gut microbiome-targeted strategies as a novel approach to support cognitive health.”
The researchers at the moment are working to grasp the particular mechanisms of how microbes like Prevotella influence the gut in a way that improves brain health. Specifically, they’re exploring how certain molecules produced by these bacteria modulate the functionality of neuroprotective hormones that may cross the blood-brain barrier.
Source:
American Society for Nutrition