Mild cognitive impairment has similar alterations as Alzheimer's disease in gut microbiota

Publication date: Available online 18 August 2019Source: Alzheimer's & DementiaAuthor(s): Binyin Li, Yixi He, Jianfang Ma, Pei Huang, Juanjuan Du, Li Cao, Yan Wang, Qin Xiao, Huidong Tang, Shengdi ChenAbstractObjectiveGut microbiota changes before the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the alterations could be detected in the stage of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The findings might offer diagnostic biomarkers before the onset of dementia.BackgroundAD is the most common cause of dementia, and MCI is the predementia state. Recent studies suggest the alterations in the gut microbial communities associated with AD, whereas the microbiota in MCI before the onset of dementia has not been discovered and characterized in humans.New/Updated HypothesisWe hypothesize that the dysbiosis happens in the MCI stage. Patients with AD and MCI have decreased microbial diversity, and changes in gut microbiota could be detected for early detection of AD. In our preliminary study, we identified differences between AD and normal controls in 11 genera from the feces and 11 genera from the blood. No difference in genera between AD and MCI was detected. Using the diagnostic model from fecal samples with all different genera input, 93% (28 in 30) of patients with MCI could be identified correctly.Major Challenges for the HypothesisThe diagnosis of MCI and AD in the study was based on symptoms and neuroimaging, and AD biomarkers should be included for precise diagnosis in further validating studi...
Source: Alzheimer's and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association - Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research