How gut health affects metabolism and thinking in Alzheimer's
Influence of gut on metabolism and cognition in Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers are looking at whether changes in gut bacteria and metabolism could help thinking and memory in people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11142445 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, the team will study how the gut microbiome and metabolic chemicals influence the brain by using aged rats that model Alzheimer's. They will measure gut bacteria, blood metabolites, insulin resistance, and brain changes linked to memory and cognition. The researchers will alter gut microbiome composition and metabolic signals to see if those changes affect brain inflammation and cognitive outcomes. Results may identify gut- or metabolism-related targets that could later be tested in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future related trials would be older adults with Alzheimer's disease or people at high risk for age-related cognitive decline.
Not a fit: People whose cognitive problems are due to non-Alzheimer's causes or who lack metabolic or gut-related issues may not benefit from these approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new gut- or metabolism-based treatments that slow memory loss in Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies and small human studies suggest links between gut bacteria, metabolism, and cognition, but no gut-based therapy has yet been proven to slow Alzheimer's progression.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hernandez, Abigail Lynn — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Hernandez, Abigail Lynn
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.