Lactobacillus plantarum enhances cognition through acetate-modulated microglia function.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Microbiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Gut microbiota influences brain function via immune and metabolic pathways.
• Specific microbial strains' roles in cognition are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the cognitive effects of Lactobacillus plantarum C067.
• Elucidate the underlying mechanisms involving gut microbiota, metabolites, and brain immune cells.

Main Methods:

• Administered Lactobacillus plantarum C067 to healthy and antibiotic-treated mice.
• Assessed cognitive functions (spatial and fear memory).
• Analyzed hippocampal cytokines, microglial morphology, gut microbial composition, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).

Main Results:

• L. plantarum C067 enhanced memory and restored hippocampal cytokine expression and microglial morphology.
• It altered microbial composition and increased acetate levels.
• Acetate supplementation alone replicated cognitive benefits and restored microglial homeostasis.
• Acetate reduced inflammation in microglia via ACSS2-dependent pathways, mitigating oxidative stress.

Conclusions:

• Lactobacillus plantarum C067 confers cognitive benefits by modulating the gut microbiota and producing acetate.
• An ACSS2-mediated microbe-metabolite-microglia axis explains these effects.
• This provides a framework for using probiotics and metabolites to combat cognitive decline.