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Transmission of Alzheimer's Disease-Associated Microbiota Dysbiosis and its Impact on Cognitive Function: Evidence

Yiying Zhang1, Yuan Shen2, Ning Liufu1

  • 1Massachusetts General Hospital.

Research Square
|May 10, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Spouses of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients may develop AD dementia due to transmissible gut microbiota dysbiosis. Probiotic treatment with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium reversed these AD-like changes in mice.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Spouses of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients exhibit increased AD dementia risk, with unknown mechanisms.
  • Gut microbiota dysbiosis is linked to AD, but its transmissibility and role in non-AD individuals are unclear.

Approach:

  • Wild-type mice co-housed with AD transgenic mice or gavaged with AD feces developed AD-associated gut dysbiosis, Tau phosphorylation, and cognitive deficits.
  • Probiotic administration of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium ameliorated these AD-like pathological and cognitive changes.
  • Analysis of oral and gut microbiota in AD patient partners revealed similarities to AD patients, distinct from healthy controls.

Key Points:

  • Gut microbiota dysbiosis is transmissible from AD patients to non-AD individuals via co-housing or fecal transfer.
  • Transmitted dysbiosis induces AD-like pathology, including Tau phosphorylation and cognitive impairment.
  • Specific bacterial interventions (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium) can restore gut microbiota balance and mitigate AD-related effects.

Conclusions:

  • Gut microbiota dysbiosis can be transmitted and contribute to Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis and cognitive decline.
  • Butyric acid-mediated GSK3β acetylation is a key molecular mechanism linking gut microbiota to Tau phosphorylation.
  • Findings highlight the gut microbiome as a potential therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease prevention and treatment.

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