Next-Generation Probiotics for Alzheimer's Disease

This project will test whether next-generation probiotics can improve signs of Alzheimer’s disease in experimental models, and will find metabolic and inflammatory pathways linked to beneficial effects.

The gut microbiome changes in aging and may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease and modifying the gut microbiome with beneficial bacteria may slow brain aging and AD, however, the current probiotics are not specifically designed to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease. We have discovered novel probiotics that prevent amyloid plaque accumulation, and this project will study how they slow disease processes in AD by regulating inflammation producing beneficial metabolites. These studies will provide critical information which could then be broadly used to prevent and treat AD.

Studies indicate the gut microbiota can play an important role in AD, and using probiotics may be a helpful strategy to promote brain health and prevent and treat AD. However, most probiotics used were discovered over 100 years ago and were not specifically designed for AD. Our project is innovative as it tests next-generation probiotics, and then uses advanced techniques to study their protective effects, linking metabolism, inmmunity, and brain health.

Once this study is complete, it will pave the way for new probiotic trials to prevent and treat AD. It will provide measurable targets to see whether we can improve metabolic and inflammatory processes in AD and aging to promote brain health.