From Dailymail · · 3m
Gut bacteria and chemicals in digestive system may signal early dementia
Study finds gut bacteria and chemicals could predict dementia progression.
In brief
Study finds gut bacteria and chemicals could predict dementia progression. Gut bacteria and chemicals may indicate early dementia signs and progression speed. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Gut bacteria linked to dementia
Gut bacteria and chemicals in the digestive system could show early signs of dementia, a study suggests.
“Gut bacteria and chemicals in the digestive system could show early signs of dementia, a study suggests”
Study finds gut biomarkers
The cocktail of biomarkers in the gut may also indicate how quickly an individual's memory and thinking may get worse.
“The cocktail of biomarkers in the gut may also indicate how quickly an individual's memory and thinking may get worse”
Professor Paul Morgan leads research
Professor Paul Morgan, who led the research at Cardiff University, said: 'This study leads us to conclude that the gut could offer a window into what's happening in the brain at the earliest stages of…
“This study leads us to conclude that the gut could offer a window into what's happening in the brain at the earliest stages of cognitive decline”
35 older adults analyzed
The researchers analysed faecal samples from 35 older adults, most of them couples living together where one partner had mild cognitive impairment and the other did not.
“The researchers analysed faecal samples from 35 older adults most of them couples living together where one partner had mild cognitive impairment and the other did not”
AI used for analysis
They used AI to see whether the samples could help diagnose the condition and predict how quickly it progresses.
“They used AI to see whether the samples could help diagnose the condition and predict how quickly it progresses”
Mild cognitive impairment shows different bacteria
The study found that people with mild cognitive impairment had a different mix of gut bacteria compared to people without cognitive impairment.
“The study found that people with mild cognitive impairment had a different mix of gut bacteria compared to people without cognitive impairment”
Bacteria and chemicals linked to dementia
The new study - published in the journal MedComm - found people with mild cognitive impairment displayed significantly elevated levels of the bacteria Izemoplasmatales spp. and the gut chemical proline.
“The new study published in the journal MedComm found people with mild cognitive impairment displayed significantly elevated levels of the bacteria Izemoplasmatales spp. and the gut chemical proline”
Bacteria levels decreased
They also showed decreased levels of Ruminococcus spp. and Lachnospira spp. bacteria, and lower levels of the chemical fumaric acid.
“They also showed decreased levels of Ruminococcus spp. and Lachnospira spp. bacteria and lower levels of the chemical fumaric acid”
Independent group tested
The team also tested for these bacterial markers in an independent group of people from a previous study, where they could still distinguish people with mild cognitive impairment from healthy individuals.
“The team also tested for these bacterial markers in an independent group of people from a previous study where they could still distinguish people with mild cognitive impairment from healthy individuals”
Followed for one year
The researchers followed people with mild cognitive impairment for a year.
“The researchers followed people with mild cognitive impairment for a year”
Bacteria linked to faster decline
They found that those whose initial samples had higher levels of the bacteria Bilophila spp.and the chemicals arginine, aspartic acid and hypoxanthine, and lower levels of Coprococcus spp.
“They found that those whose initial samples had higher levels of the bacteria Bilophila spp. and the chemicals arginine aspartic acid and hypoxanthine and lower levels of Coprococcus spp. showed a faster decline in memory and thinking skills”
Dr You Zhou explains findings
Study co-author Dr You Zhou, also from Cardiff University, said: 'Mild cognitive impairment affects around one in four older adults worldwide, but we have no simple way of telling who will go on to decline…
“Mild cognitive impairment affects around one in four older adults worldwide but we have no simple way of telling who will go on to decline quickly”
Study shows high accuracy
We found that a combination of gut bacteria and chemicals could distinguish people with mild cognitive impairment from healthy individuals with high accuracy, and certain gut chemicals were strongly linked to faster decline over the…
“We found that a combination of gut bacteria and chemicals could distinguish people with mild cognitive impairment from healthy individuals with high accuracy and certain gut chemicals were strongly linked to faster decline over the following year”
Study is small
This was a small study and the findings need confirming in larger groups.
“This was a small study and the findings need confirming in larger groups”
Professor Julian Marchesi comments
Co-author Professor Julian Marchesi, from Imperial College London, said: 'Gut bacteria and chemicals are increasingly recognised as an important link between the gut and the brain.'
“Gut bacteria and chemicals are increasingly recognised as an important link between the gut and the brain”
Future research needed
By looking at both together, we get a much fuller picture of what's changing in people with mild cognitive impairment.
“By looking at both together we get a much fuller picture of what's changing in people with mild cognitive impairment”
Further studies needed
Future studies on larger groups of patients will help pinpoint exactly which microbes and chemicals matter most.
“Future studies on larger groups of patients will help pinpoint exactly which microbes and chemicals matter most”
The bottom line
Gut bacteria and chemicals may indicate early dementia signs and progression speed.
