Metagenome study of the gut and oral microbiome in association with peripheral inflammatory biomarkers in Alzheimer's patients

Collaborative Research Program 2023-2025

Recent studies strongly suggest that the gut microbiome can influence brain functions and contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, there are no studies comparing gut microbiome alterations associated with AD in different human populations, although evidence exists that the changes in the gut microbiome in AD patients from different countries are not similar. These differences might be attributed to such facts as biogeography, ethnicity, lifestyle, and eating habits. There is also evidence aside from the gut microbiome that oral microflora can influence brain functions; however, studies of the oral microbiome in AD are very limited. There is also an assumption that the development of sporadic AD might be driven by the microbiome-associated peripheral inflammation. Therefore, more research is needed to reveal the relationships between human microbiome alterations, inflammation, and lifestyle in different ethnic populations and their influence on cognitive functions and risks of AD. Yet, no studies have been done on the associations between the gut and oral microbiomes and AD risks in Central Asia.
Based on the foregoing, the main goal of the proposed research is to study the relationships between the human gut and oral microbiomes diversity and composition, peripheral inflammation markers, biogeography, ethnicity, lifestyle (e.g., diet), and AD.