Gut health may influence the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s

Featured Sponsor

Store	Link	Sample Product
UK Artful Impressions	Premiere Etsy Store

The analysis, led by a team of researchers at the Nevada Institute for Personalized Medicine (NIPM) at UNLV and published this spring in the journal Nature scientific reports — examined data from dozens of previous studies on the gut-brain connection. The results? There is a strong link between certain types of gut bacteria and Alzheimer’s disease.

There are between 500 and 1,000 species of bacteria in the human gut at any given time, and the number and diversity of these microorganisms can be influenced by genetics and diet.

The UNLV team’s analysis found a significant correlation between 10 specific types of gut bacteria and the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Six categories of bacteria. Adlercreutzia, Eubacterium nodatum group, Eisenbergiella, Eubacterium fissicatena group, Gordonibacter, and prevotella9 — were identified as protectors, and four types of bacteria — collinsella, bacteroides, lachnospira, and Veillonella — were identified as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

Certain bacteria in the intestines of humans can secrete acids and toxins that dilute and filter through the intestinal lining, interact with the apoe (a gene identified as a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease) and trigger a neuroinflammatory response, which affects brain health and numerous immune functions, potentially promoting the development of the neurodegenerative disorder.

The researchers said their new discovery of the different bacterial groups associated with Alzheimer’s disease provides new insights into the relationship between gut microbiota and the world’s most common form of dementia. The findings also advance scientists’ understanding of how an imbalance of these bacteria may play a role in the development of the disorder.

“Most of the microorganisms in our intestines are considered good, health-promoting bacteria, but an imbalance of those bacteria can be toxic to a person’s immune system and be linked to various diseases, including depression, heart disease, cancer, and disease. Alzheimer’s”. said UNLV research professor Jingchun Chen. “The take-home message here is that your genes not only determine whether you’re at risk for disease, but may also influence the abundance of bacteria in your gut.”

While their analysis established general categories of bacteria typically associated with Alzheimer’s disease, the UNLV team said more research is needed to delve into the specific bacterial species that influence risk or protection.

The hope is one day to develop personalized treatments for an individual patient and their genetic makeup, such as medications or lifestyle changes. Studies have shown that changes in the gut microbiome through the use of probiotics and dietary adjustments can have a positive impact on the immune system, inflammation, and even brain function.

“With further research, it might be possible to identify a genetic pathway that could point to a gut microbiome that would be more or less prone to developing diseases like Alzheimer’s,” said study lead author and UNLV graduate student Davis Cammann, “but You also have to remember that the gut biome is influenced by many factors, including lifestyle and diet.”