CHSU Discovery

Abstract

Neurocognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Lewy body disease (LBD), and vascular dementia (VaD) involve progressive cognitive decline with distinct pathologies. AD is most prevalent, accounting for ~60% of dementia cases in individuals aged 80+, followed by VaD (~20%). Recent studies highlight a strong link between gut microbiome dysbiosis and AD pathogenesis. Gut dysbiosis contributes to: Neuroinflammation, Immune dysregulation, Abnormal brain protein aggregation. The gut-brain axis enables bidirectional signaling between gut microbes and the CNS via immune, circulatory, and neural pathways. Dysbiosis leads to increased gut permeability, triggering systemic and neuroinflammation that worsens AD pathology. Specific gut microbial signatures correlate with disease severity and progression → potential biomarkers & therapeutic targets.