Your gut may be making a molecule that raises Alzheimer’s risk
A study suggests that a molecule called imidazole propionate (ImP), produced by gut bacteria, may contribute to Alzheimer's disease by promoting the accumulation of harmful proteins in the brain. This link could lead to new diagnostic or treatment strategies for dementia.
Why it matters
Connecting gut health to neurodegenerative diseases offers a promising new avenue for medical research into Alzheimer's prevention and treatment.
A molecule made by bacteria in the digestive system may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease and accelerate cognitive decline in people with dementia, according to new research. The finding could point scientists toward a potential treatment strategy aimed at lowering Alzheimer's risk.
Nearly a decade ago, a research team led by University of Wisconsin-Madison professors Barbara Bendlin and Federico Rey found that the mix of microorganisms living in the intestines differs between people with Alzheimer's disease and healthy individuals.
"Since then, we've been trying to figure out how this difference in the gut perhaps leads to changes in the brain," says Bendlin, a professor of medicine in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health.
A Gut Molecule With Effects Beyond the Intestines
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