In a unique study, researchers found that fecal transplants could one day be used to reverse the cognitive decline that accompanies aging
Cognitive decline occurs when a person has difficulty remembering, learning new things, concentrating, or making decisions that affect their daily life
The study, published in the journal Microbiome, shows how fecal transplants from older to younger mice altered their gut microbiome, which impacted their spatial learning and memory
The research team hopes reversal of the procedure may one day see a fecal transplant used to combat cognitive decline in the elderly
Previous research has shown that the aging process may be linked to age-related changes in our gut microbiota
“Recently, the existence of two-way communication between the gut and the brain – known as the ‘gut-brain axis’ – has become an important player in defining aspects of behavior and behavior. cognitive function, ”said study author David Vauzour from the University of East Anglia in the UK
« We wanted to see if the transfer of gut microbes from older mice to younger mice could affect parts of the central nervous system associated with aging, » Vauzour added
The research team performed fecal transplants from older adult mice to younger adult mice, then assessed the young adults for markers such as anxiety, exploratory behavior, and memory
Although young adults showed no significant changes in markers of anxiety, exploratory behavior, or locomotor activity, they did show impaired spatial learning and memory, measured in a test labyrinth
These changes paralleled alterations in protein expression associated with synaptic plasticity and neurotransmission, and changes in cells in the hippocampus, part of their brains – responsible for learning and memory
« Our research shows that fecal transplantation from an old donor to a young recipient causes an age-related change in the composition of the gut microbiota, » said Vauzour
The procedure impacted the expression of proteins involved in key functions of the hippocampus – an important part of the brain that has a vital role in a variety of functions including memory, learning but also in spatial navigation and emotional behavior and ambiance
In short, young mice started to behave like older mice, in terms of cognitive function
« This work emphasizes the importance of the gut-brain axis in aging and provides a strong rationale for designing therapies aimed at restoring a young-type microbiota to improve cognitive functions and quality of life in older people « said researcher Claudio Nicoletti from the University of Florence, Italy
Intestinal flora, faecal microbiota transplant, cognition, cognitive deficit, human microbiome, organ transplantation, faeces, aging
News from the world – United States – Faecal transplantation can be used to reverse cognitive decline due to aging, finds study