Gut microbiota and pro/prebiotics in Alzheimer's disease
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Updated: Dec 25, 2025

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Published on: October 15, 2019
Ryszard Pluta1, Marzena Ułamek-Kozioł1, Sławomir Januszewski1
1Laboratory of Ischemic and Neurodegenerative Brain Research, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
Abstract:
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid and dysfunctional tau protein in the brain along with the final development of dementia. Accumulation of amyloid in the brain was observed 10-20 years before the onset of clinical symptoms by diagnostic methods based on image analysis. This is a serious public health problem, incidence and prevalence being expected to reach epidemic proportions over the next few decades if the disease cannot be prevented or slowed down. Recently, in addition to the strongly developing ischemic etiology of Alzheimer's disease, it is suggested that the gut microbiota may also participate in the development of this disease. The brain and gut are thought to form a network called the "gut-brain-microbiota axis", and it is strongly supported idea that the intestinal microflora can be involved in Alzheimer's disease. Lately, many new studies have been conducted that draw attention to the relationship between Alzheimer's disease and gut microbiota. This review presents a possible relationship between Alzheimer's disease and a microbiome. It is a promising idea for prevention or therapeutic intervention. Modulation of the gut microbiota through a personalized diet or beneficial microflora intervention like pro/prebiotics, changing microbiological partners and their products, including amyloid protein, can become a new treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
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