Title: Probiotics Show Promise in Preventing Cognitive Decline Associated with Aging, Study Finds
Subtitle: Gut microbiome-targeted strategies may revolutionize cognitive health prevention
Date: [Current Date]
– A new study suggests that taking a probiotic could help prevent cognitive decline in aging individuals, potentially paving the way for non-invasive treatments that leverage the gut microbiome.
– Researchers found that participants with mild cognitive impairment who received the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) for three months showed improved cognitive scores. This improvement was also associated with changes in their gut microbiome.
– The study, presented at NUTRITION 2023, the annual flagship meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, brings new insights into the microbiome brain-gut connection and potential strategies for combatting cognitive decline in aging populations.
– Mild cognitive impairment, which includes problems with memory, language, or judgment, is an early stage of cognitive impairment that can progress to more severe forms of dementia. Interventions at this stage may slow down or prevent further decline.
– The study involved 169 participants aged between 52 and 75 years old, who were divided into two groups based on neurological issues. The groups received either the LGG probiotic or a placebo in a double-blind, randomized clinical trial lasting three months.
– To investigate the gut microbiomes of the participants, researchers used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to identify and compare bacteria present in stool samples. They also used whole-genome sequencing to gain insights into the functional roles of the identified bacteria.
– The analysis revealed that participants with mild cognitive impairment had a higher relative abundance of Prevotella microbes compared to those without cognitive impairment, suggesting gut microbiome composition as an early indicator for early interventions.
– Participants with mild cognitive impairment who received the LGG probiotic showed a decrease in the relative abundance of Prevotella. This change coincided with improved cognitive scores, indicating the potential of manipulating the gut microbiota to enhance cognitive health in older adults.
– The researchers are now studying the specific mechanisms by which microbes like Prevotella influence the gut and improve brain health. They are exploring how certain molecules produced by these bacteria modulate the functionality of neuroprotective hormones that can cross the blood-brain barrier.
– The findings present a new frontier in preventive strategies for cognitive health and highlight the potential of gut microbiome-targeted approaches as novel interventions.
– Further studies will be necessary to replicate and validate these findings, which could revolutionize future preventive strategies for cognitive health by leveraging the gut microbiome.
– Understanding the connections between the gut microbiome and cognitive function opens up exciting possibilities for developing targeted interventions in the future.
– The researchers aim to continue their investigations to gain a deeper understanding of the gut-brain relationship and explore potential therapies for cognitive decline associated with aging.
– The study was conducted by researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, and King Saud University in Saudi Arabia.
– Additional research is needed to unravel the full potential of probiotics and the gut microbiome in optimizing cognitive health and preventing cognitive decline in aging individuals.
Source: American Society for Nutrition
Contact: Nancy Lamontagne – American Society for Nutrition
Image: Credit to Neuroscience News