The relationship between the gut microbiome and mild cognitive impairment in patients without dementia: a cross-sectional study conducted in Japan

Naoki Saji,Kenji Toba,Taiki Sugimoto,Kenta Murotani,Tsuyoshi Tsuduki,Takayoshi Hisada,Takashi Sakurai,Shumpei Niida,Ai Kimura

doi:10.1038/s41598-019-55851-y

Abstract

Recent studies have revealed an association between the dysregulation of the gut microbiome and dementia. However, whether this dysregulation is associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an early stage of cognitive decline, in patients without dementia remains unclear. We performed a cross-sectional analysis to determine the association between the gut microbiome and MCI. Data, including patient demographics, risk factors, cognitive function, and brain imaging, were collected. The gut microbiome was assessed through terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors independently associated with MCI. Graphical modelling was used to illustrate mutual associations between MCI and identified factors. We analysed 82 patients, 61 of whom exhibited MCI. Patients with MCI had a higher prevalence of Bacteroides. Furthermore, patients with more Bacteroides were more likely to present with white matter hyperintensity and high voxel-based specific regional analysis system for Alzheimer’s Disease (VSRAD) scores, indicating cortical and hippocampal atrophy. A multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that a greater prevalence of Bacteroides was independently associated with MCI. Graphical modelling also showed a close association between Bacteroides and MCI. In conclusion, an increased prevalence of Bacteroides is independently associated with the presence of MCI in patients without dementia.

Highlights

Recent studies have revealed an association between the dysregulation of the gut microbiome and dementia
We found that the dysregulation of the gut microbiome, as assessed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis, which is one of the most well-established and reliable 16S ribosomal RNA-based methods, is cross-sectionally and strongly associated with dementia, independent of traditional dementia biomarkers[5]
In the present sub-study of the Gimlet study, we examined the relationship between the gut microbiome and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among patients without dementia who had enrolled in the Gimlet study

Summary

Introduction

Recent studies have revealed an association between the dysregulation of the gut microbiome and dementia. Whether this dysregulation is associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an early stage of cognitive decline, in patients without dementia remains unclear. An increased prevalence of Bacteroides is independently associated with the presence of MCI in patients without dementia. Analysing the gut microbiome in MCI patients without dementia may reveal previously unidentified risk factors for MCI. We found that the dysregulation of the gut microbiome, as assessed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis, which is one of the most well-established and reliable 16S ribosomal RNA-based methods, is cross-sectionally and strongly associated with dementia, independent of traditional dementia biomarkers[5]. We hypothesized that there would be differences in the compositions of the gut microbiome between patients with MCI and those with normal cognitive function (NC)

Objectives

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Conclusion