The gut microbiome, immune modulation, and cognitive decline: Insight on the gut-brain axis
Major Gheorghe GIURGIU1,Prof. dr. Manole COJOCARU2,3
1Deniplant-Aide Sante Medical Center, Biomedicine, Bucharest, Romania
deniplant@gmail.com; Telephone: +40 744 827 881
2Academy of Romanian Scientists
3Titu Maiorescu University, Faculty of Medicine, Bucharest, Romania cojocaru.manole@gmail.com; Telephone: +40 723 326 663
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7192-7490
Background Disturbances along the brain-gut-microbiota axis may significantly contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Alterations in the gut microbiota composition induce increased permeability of the gut barrier and immune activation leading to systemic inflammation, which in turn may impair the blood-brain barrier and promote neuroinflammation, neural injury, and ultimately Alzheimer’s disease.
Objectives There is a strong link between Alzheimer’s disease and chronic inflammation. Modification of the gut microbiota composition by nutraceuticals may create new preventive and therapeutic options in Alzheimer’s disease. To arrive at these observations, the authors examined how Imuniplant, Neuropolen, and diet affect Alzheimer’s disease risk. We are currently assessing whether indoles can also stimulate formation of neurons in Alzheimer’s disease.
Materials and methods Imbalances in the gut microbiota can be also associated with the Alzheimer’s disease risks. There is increasing interest in the role of the viruses in Alzheimer’s disease.
Results It has now been shown that microbiota affects brain functions through various metabolites. The immune system has a prominent role in Alzheimer’s disease. There is increasing interest in the role of the viruses in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis.
Conclusion The discovery that tau phosphorylation can act as a protective mechanism against HSV-1 infection suggests that enhancing this immune response could help mitigate the impact of viral infections in the brain, which are increasingly being implicated in Alzheimer’s pathology. Existing evidence suggests that nutraceuticals and lifestyle changes may reduce Alzheimer’s disease risk and save lives.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, gut microbiota, brain-gut-microbiota axis, nutraceuticals, Imuniplant, Neuropolen