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White matter hyperintensity severity modifies gut metabolite association with cognitive outcomes
Naruchorn Kijpaisalratana1, Chia-Ling Phuah2, Zsuzsanna Ament3
1Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Division of Academic Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Elevated glycodeoxycholic acid (GDCA) is linked to cognitive decline. White matter hyperintensities (WMH) severity influences this association, suggesting a complex interaction affecting dementia risk.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gastroenterology
- Metabolomics
Background:
- Gut microbiome metabolites and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) are independently linked to cognitive impairment.
- The interaction between gut metabolites and WMH in influencing dementia remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between gut microbial metabolites and cognitive function.
- To determine if WMH severity modifies the relationship between gut metabolites and cognitive outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 578 participants from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI).
- Analysis included gut microbial metabolite measurements and WMH volume estimations from MRI scans.
- Cognitive outcomes were assessed using ADAS-Cog13 and MMSE.
Main Results:
- Glycodeoxycholic acid (GDCA) was significantly associated with worse cognitive performance (ADAS-Cog13 score and MMSE).
- GDCA showed a stronger association with cognitive decline in individuals with low WMH burden compared to those with high WMH burden.
- A significant interaction (p=0.02) was found between GDCA and WMH severity regarding cognitive outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Higher levels of GDCA correlate with poorer cognitive function.
- WMH severity plays a crucial role in modulating the impact of GDCA on cognitive health, highlighting a potential pathway in dementia development.
