As of: February 26, 2024, 6:30 a.m
By: Laura Knops
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In a current study, US researchers are investigating the role of the intestinal microbiome in the development of age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's.
Many diseases have their origin in the intestine - the development of Alzheimer's could also be related to the intestinal microbiome, i.e. the microorganisms in the intestine.
Although Alzheimer's first manifests itself through forgetfulness and behavioral changes, the disease is not just limited to the brain.
The age-related disease could be due to low levels of chronic inflammation.
Researchers have now investigated what happens in the intestine in a current study.
The results were published in the journal “
Scientific Reports
”.
Sick microbiome, sick brain?
Connection between gut and brain
Forgetfulness and other cognitive problems are the first signs of Alzheimer's disease.
However, the disease may begin in the intestines.
© Pond5 Images/Imago
According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
around 50 million people worldwide are already
affected by Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia.
In the next few years, however, significantly more people could suffer from the consequences of Alzheimer's.
In order to be able to treat the disease early or even prevent it, researchers are looking for the origin of dementia.
This could probably be in the intestine, as current studies suggest.
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Previous animal studies on mice have already shown that Alzheimer's can be passed on to young mice through the transmission of intestinal microbes.
So there is a connection between the digestive system and brain health.
The current study by an international research team led by study author Margo Heston supports this theory.
Inflammation could therefore be the underlying mechanism.
Current study by the University of Wisconsin: The origin lies in the intestinal mucosa
As part of the study, researchers at the
University of Wisconsin
analyzed stool samples from a total of 125 people for fecal calprotectin.
This protein indicates the presence of so-called neutrophils in the intestinal lining.
These are in turn related to inflammation.
In addition to the stool samples, participants had to complete a battery of cognitive tests, as well as family history interviews and tests for an Alzheimer's risk gene.
Part of the group also underwent clinical examinations for signs of amyloid protein plaques.
These are considered significant harbingers of the neurodegenerative disease.
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Higher levels of inflammation in the intestines in Alzheimer's patients
“People with Alzheimer’s appear to have more inflammation in the gut.
In brain imaging studies, those with greater intestinal inflammation had greater accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain," University of
Wisconsin
psychologist Barbara Bendlin tells
Science Alert
.
In addition to the characteristic amyloid plaques, Alzheimer's biomarkers also increased with inflammation levels in affected patients.
In addition, the results of memory tests decreased depending on the level of calprotectin.
The results of the current study confirm previous studies.
American researchers from the
University of Nevada
found, for example, that certain intestinal bacteria can stimulate inflammatory signals in the brain.
The research team found that Alzheimer's patients had increased levels of inflammation in the intestines compared to controls.
This could be because changes in the microbiome cause system-wide inflammation, according to Margo Heston.
According to the experts, this inflammation is mild but chronic.
In further studies, doctors now want to find out whether there is more than just a connection between intestinal bacteria and Alzheimer's or whether the microbiome is actually involved in the development of the disease.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.