Statistical Correlations between the Microbiota and Cognitive Function in Memory Loss

Hathan D. Stanley^*
*Correspondence: Hathan D. Stanley, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Wayne, USA, Email:

Introduction

Memory loss and cognitive decline are prominent features of various neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia, which pose significant challenges to global public health. Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiota, the diverse microbial community residing in the gastrointestinal tract, plays a crucial role in influencing brain health and cognitive function through the intricate microbiome-gut-brain axis. Understanding the statistical correlations between the gut microbiota and cognitive function is of paramount importance in unraveling potential therapeutic avenues and preventive strategies for memory loss and related conditions.

This study aims to investigate the statistical associations between the gut microbiota composition and cognitive function in individuals experiencing memory loss. By employing advanced statistical methods and analyzing extensive data sets from relevant studies, we seek to identify microbial signatures that may underlie cognitive impairment and explore potential mechanisms through which the gut microbiota influences brain health. Additionally, this analysis aims to shed light on potential biomarkers or microbial interventions that could hold promise in mitigating memory loss and enhancing cognitive resilience. Ultimately, this research endeavors to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on the microbiome-gut-brain axis and its implications for memory loss and cognitive well-being.

A microbiome is a community of microorganisms that forms in a specific environment, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Microbiomes are diverse and dynamic populations found in healthy human intestinal tracts, the majority of which reside in the ileum and colon. Previous research has linked changes in gut microbiota to a variety of intestinal disorders and brain function. As a result, the concept of "microbiome-gut-brain axis" has gained traction, addressing complex bidirectional interactions between the brain and the gut. For example, changes in or absence of an intestinal microbiome may cause systemic immune activation, which contributes to intestinal barrier defects, blood-brain barrier damage, neuroinflammation, and eventual brain damage and degeneration [1].

Description

Dementia is a chronic syndrome characterised by progressive cognitive decline. Dementia can impair memory, thinking, language, behaviour, and daily activities, and it is a leading cause of disability among the elderly worldwide. According to current estimates, approximately 55 million people worldwide suffer from dementia, with the figure expected to rise to 78 million by 2030 and 139 million by 2050. Furthermore, nearly 10 million new cases of dementia are diagnosed each year. Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of all cases. Other types of dementia are vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, Parkinson's disease dementia, and frontotemporal dementia [2].

Some research has linked gut microbiota to the onset or progression of dementia. Longitudinal studies have also revealed that people with inflammatory bowel disease linked to the gut microbiome were diagnosed with dementia at a younger age on average than healthy samples. Furthermore, the microbiomegut- brain axis has emerged as a possible diagnostic and therapeutic target in a variety of psychiatric and neurologic disorders. Similarly, changing the gut microbiota with antibiotics or probiotics can improve performance on learning and memory tests [3].

Understanding progress and trends in a specific research field is critical, Bibliometric analysis is a widely used method for identifying key characteristics of relevant publications, such as core research themes, methodologies, authors, institutions, and countries. For example, bibliometric analysis can provide data on article citations, which reflect the academic impact of publications. Furthermore, compiling keyword frequencies can assist researchers in identifying past foci and future trends on specific research topics. Bibliometric analysis also provides network maps of co-authorship and co-occurrence analysis, which reveal international collaborations and allow researchers to seek potential interdisciplinary collaborators. Previous bibliometric manuscripts investigated links between gut microbiota and Parkinson's disease, as well as the gut-brain axis and depression.

The brain-gut axis reflects bidirectional communication between the central and enteric nervous systems; as one of the main regulators of the axis, the distribution of neuroactive compounds released by microbiota around the axis may lead to cognitive function changes that contribute to dementia development. Dementia is thought to develop when gut bacteria activate immune activation through a faulty intestinal barrier, causing systemic inflammation, which disrupts the blood-brain barrier and promotes neuroinflammation, eventually leading to nerve damage and degeneration. This hypothesis is supported by evidence from a nationwide population-based cohort study, which found that irritable bowel syndrome patients have a higher risk of dementia than healthy controls [4,5].

Conclusion

Our comprehensive statistical analysis reveals significant correlations between the gut microbiota and cognitive function in memory loss. The findings underscore the intricate interplay of the microbiome-gut-brain axis and its potential impact on cognitive health. Specific microbial signatures identified in our study may serve as promising targets for future diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, offering potential avenues for early detection and intervention in memory-related disorders. Moreover, this investigation highlights the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms linking the gut microbiota to cognitive impairment. Understanding these mechanisms could open new possibilities for personalized interventions, including targeted probiotics or dietary modifications, to promote cognitive resilience and delay the onset or progression of memory loss. Overall, our study contributes valuable insights to the burgeoning field of microbiota and cognitive health, offering a foundation for future studies and fostering hope for innovative strategies to combat memory loss and improve the quality of life for affected individuals.

Acknowledgement

None.

Conflict of Interest

There are no conflicts of interest by author.

References

1. Angelucci, Francesco, Katerina Cechova, Jana Amlerova and Jakub Hort, et al. "Antibiotics, gut microbiota, and Alzheimer’s disease." J Neuroinflammation 16 (2019): 1-10.

Google Scholar, Crossref, Indexed at

2. Martin, Clair R., Vadim Osadchiy, Amir Kalani and Emeran A. Mayer, et al. "The brain-gut-microbiome axis." Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 6 (2018): 133-148.

Google Scholar, Crossref, Indexed at

3. Wang, T., X. Hu, S. Liang and W. Li, et al. "Lactobacillus fermentum NS9 restores the antibiotic induced physiological and psychological abnormalities in rats." Benef Microbes 6 (2015): 707-717.

Google Scholar, Crossref, Indexed at

4. Claesson, Marcus J. and Paul W. O'Toole. "Evaluating the latest high-throughput molecular techniques for the exploration of microbial gut communities." Gut Microbes 1 (2010): 277-278.

Google Scholar, Crossref, Indexed at

5. Parker, Aimée, Sonia Fonseca and Simon R. Carding. "Gut microbes and metabolites as modulators of blood-brain barrier integrity and brain health." Gut Microbes 11 (2020): 135-157.

Google Scholar, Crossref, Indexed at