Gut health and Alzheimer’s: what the microbiome research shows
Quick answer
Research from the University of Geneva and Italian colleagues found a correlation in humans between an imbalance in gut bacteria and amyloid plaques in the brain, which are linked to Alzheimer’s disease. This shows an association rather than proof of cause. Higher blood levels of some bacterial products were linked to more amyloid, and butyrate to less.
The researches confirm what we see in clinic:
‘Our results are indisputable: certain bacterial products of the intestinal microbiota are correlated with the quantity of amyloid plaques in the brain’, – explains Moira Marizzoni.
‘Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Still incurable, it directly affects nearly one million people in Europe, and indirectly millions of family members as well as society as a whole. In recent years, the scientific community has suspected that the gut microbiota plays a role in the development of the disease.
‘A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) in Switzerland, together with Italian colleagues from the National Research and Care Center for Alzheimer’s and Psychiatric Diseases Fatebenefratelli in Brescia, University of Naples and the IRCCS SDN Research Center in Naples, confirm the correlation, in humans, between an imbalance in the gut microbiota and the development of amyloid plaques in the brain, which are at the origin of the neurodegenerative disorders characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.’
‘Indeed, high blood levels of lipopolysaccharides and certain short-chain fatty acids (acetate and valerate) were associated with both large amyloid deposits in the brain. Conversely, high levels of another short-chain fatty acid, butyrate, were associated with less amyloid pathology.’
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-11-link-alzheimer-disease-gut-microbiota.html
Common questions
Is there a link between gut bacteria and Alzheimer’s disease?
A team from the University of Geneva, Geneva University Hospitals and Italian research centres confirmed a correlation in humans between an imbalance in the gut microbiota and amyloid plaques in the brain. Moira Marizzoni said certain bacterial products are correlated with the quantity of plaques.
What are amyloid plaques in the brain?
The research team describes amyloid plaques as being at the origin of the neurodegenerative disorders characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. Their research found that the amount of amyloid in the brain was correlated with certain products made by bacteria in the gut.
Which gut substances were linked to more or less amyloid in the brain?
High blood levels of lipopolysaccharides and of the short-chain fatty acids acetate and valerate were associated with large amyloid deposits in the brain. High levels of another short-chain fatty acid, butyrate, were associated with less amyloid pathology.
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