Alzheimer’s is the leading cause of dementia, a condition that is devastating for those affected, their loved ones, and their carers.
With one in three people born today likely to develop dementia in their lifetime, scientists are exploring potential links that could help uncover approaches for new treatments.
This includes work to better understand the health of our gut and the brain.
The gut is host to a community of bacteria called the intestinal microbiome.
The precise make-up of the microbiome differs between individuals, in both the types and quantities of bacteria present.
This microbial composition can have far-reaching effects on other parts of our body and emerging evidence is suggesting a relationship between brain health and the risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s.
In studies presented at the Alzheimer’s Research UK Conference 2022, researchers find the links between gut bacteria, inflammation, and brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
In one study, researchers analyzed blood samples from 68 people with Alzheimer’s and a similar number of people without the disease.
The study revealed a distinct gut bacteria makeup in people with Alzheimer’s as well as more inflammation markers in their stool and blood samples.
In another study, researchers found that rats with gut bacteria from people with Alzheimer’s performed worse in memory tests, didn’t grow as many new nerve cells in areas of the brain associated with memory, and had higher levels of inflammation in the brain.
The findings suggest that symptoms of Alzheimer’s may, in part, be caused by abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract.
While it is currently proving difficult to directly tackle Alzheimer’s processes in the brain, the gut potentially represents an alternative target that may be easier to influence with drugs or diet changes.
As Dr. Susan Kohlhaas, Director of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said, the results together reveal differences in the makeup of gut bacteria between people with and without dementia and suggest that the microbiome may be driving changes linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
The makeup of our gut microbiome is one of several potential dementia risk factors that we could influence by leading a healthy life.
To maintain a healthy brain as we age the best current evidence suggests that we should keep physically fit, eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, not smoke, only drink within the recommended limits and keep blood pressure and cholesterol in check.
If you care about brain health, please read studies that COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s disease are connected, and new non-drug treatment may help prevent Alzheimer’s effectively.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about COVID-related brain damage more likely in these people, and results showing that one year of this exercise training may reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
