Precision Microbiome Nutrition to Improve Brain Health

What is this Study about?

There are over 1000 types of bacteria that live in our gut and help us to process foods and help in nutrient and vitamin uptake. Recently, it was discovered that there are disturbances in the gut bacteria of people who have Alzheimer’s disease and that the gut and brain communicate.

We propose that the gut-brain communication can be altered by changes in the gut bacteria in those living with Alzheimer’s disease.

The study purpose it to assess whether nutritional intervention with personalized, preselected prebiotics can affect cognitive function in those with Alzheimer’s disease.

What Will Happen in This Study?

Participants provide a stool at the start of the study which we use to assess which prebiotic promotes healthy gut-brain communication. Participants will be asked to take that prebiotic for 3 months. Participants will participate in cognitive testing and complete diet questionnaires. Stool collection and testing will be repeated at 3 months. See “insert link” for study illustration.

Who is Eligible to Participate in this Study?

60 years or older
Have a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease, or amnestic mild cognitive impairment
Be able to speak, read and understand English
Have a study partner who is willing to provide written informed consent to participate, is in frequent contact with the participant (defined as at least 10 hour per week) and will accompany the participant to study visits or be available by telephone at designated times.

Who is NOT Eligible to Participate in this Study?

Diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Cancer or undergoing cancer treatment.
Experienced an acute or active inflammatory issue within the last month.
Taken antibiotics, prebiotics, or probiotics in the past month.
Has episodes of gastroenteritis within the last month.
Taken anti-diarrheal drugs or laxatives in the last month.
Used ibuprofen daily for the last 14 days.
A history of GI surgery.
Have used traditional Chinese medicines in the last month.
Taken metformin in the last month.
Taken oral steroids in the last 4 weeks.
A comorbidity known to affect the microbiome, including: diabetes, cardio-vascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, cancer or receiving treatment