The key to stop them dementia According to new research, it may be in the intestines instead of the brain.
Decades of research from around the world, costing billions of pounds, have so far failed to reveal how to tackle memory-threatening illnesses.
However, the gut “represents an alternative target that may be susceptible to drug and dietary changes,” experts say.
A series of experiments linking development with the intestine Alzheimer’s disease It will be announced at the medical conference today.
It reveals how the microbiota (bacterial community in the intestine) of a patient in this condition can be significantly different from that of a non-disabled patient.
Another discovered rodent that received a fecal transplant directly from a patient with Alzheimer’s disease performed worse on memory tests.
In the third study, brain stem cells treated with the blood of patients with disabilities were unable to grow new nerve cells.
Theoretically, the patient’s gut bacteria affect the level of inflammation in the body, which affects the brain through the blood supply.
Inflammation is considered to be the leading cause of the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
This disease is the most common type of dementia and It is one of the leading causes of death in the United Kingdom.
Charities estimate that approximately 900,000 people in the UK and 5 million in the United States live with this disability, and that number is increasing each year as we live longer.
British researchers have published the results of two experiments that may correlate the gut microbiota with the brain.
Alzheimer’s disease Plaque builds up in the brain, eventually leading to death of brain cells.
There is no current cure, but medicines already exist to help alleviate symptoms by helping nerve cells communicate.
It is hoped that treatments targeting the intestines will be developed and that the condition of the brain will improve.
Dr. Edina Shirajic, a neuroscientist at King’s College London and involved in the analysis of samples of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, said:
“But the evidence continues to grow — and we have a better understanding of how this happens.
“Our gut bacteria can affect the level of inflammation in our body, and we know that inflammation is a major cause of Alzheimer’s disease.”
She was behind King’s study comparing 68 microbiota with a similar number of microbiota that did not compare with Alzheimer’s disease.
Blood and fecal samples were taken from all participants and analyzed at the Italian Institute of Biology.
These tests revealed that people with Alzheimer’s disease have a clear microflora and more inflammatory markers.
Follow-up experiments involving treating brain stem cells with blood from patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
They have been found to be unable to grow newer nerve cells than controls treated with blood from a disease-free person.
Dr. Silajdžić said: “We believe that this can cause inflammation associated with gut bacteria to affect the brain through the blood.”
Her team’s research will be presented at the Alzheimer’s Research UK2022 conference in Brighton today.
Another study revealed is the effect of the Alzheimer’s disease microflora on rats.
Fecal samples were taken from people with or without Alzheimer’s disease and transplanted into the intestines of rodents.
Professor Yvonne Nolan, also a neuroscientist from Kings, Those who analyzed the results said that there were significant differences in rat behavior in memory tests depending on which sample the rat received.
“Rats with gut microbiota in people with Alzheimer’s disease have been found to perform poorly on memory tests,” she said.
They also did not grow so many new nerve cells in the areas of the brain associated with memory and had higher levels of inflammation.
She added that this result suggests that Alzheimer’s disease can be caused, at least in part, by abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract.
Previous studies have suggested that gut microbiota may be involved in a variety of brain functions, from appetite control to mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.
In contrast to the brain, Professor Nolan said the gut may present an alternative and simpler part of the body that is a target for the treatment of potential Alzheimer’s disease.
“Currently, it has proven difficult to directly address the process of Alzheimer’s disease in the brain, but the gut may be an alternative target that may be susceptible to drug and dietary changes. There is, “she said.
Both study sets have not been peer-reviewed prior to the meeting.
In response to the new study, Dr. Susan Colehaas, Head of Research for Alzheimer’s Disease Research UK, said it provided a good basis for further research on the relationship between gut microbiota and Alzheimer’s disease.
“Aggregating these results reveals differences in the composition of gut microbiota in people with and without dementia, suggesting that the microbial flora may be causing changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease. “I will,” she said.
“Future studies build on these findings so that we can understand how gut health fits into the overall picture of genetic and lifestyle factors that affect a person’s risk of dementia. is needed.”
She added that in the meantime, people should actively strive to keep their brains healthy as they get older, in order to reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
“Current evidence is that you need to stay fit, eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, do not smoke, and drink only within the recommended limits to control blood pressure and cholesterol. Suggests, “she said.
