Gut Microbiome Alterations in Aging People and Association with Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

The “Gut microbiome” describes the collection of microorganisms that reside in the gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Gut microbiota play an important role in human health, including digestion, nutrient production, metabolism, immune system regulation, and protection against pathogens. These microbiomes have been found to undergo age-related modifications among the elderly which is known as dysbiosis, an imbalance in the composition and functionality of the gut microbiome with a decline in beneficial microorganisms and an increase in potentially hazardous microorganisms as its defining characteristics. These alterations can result in the triggering of harmful local and systemic inflammation, impaired immune function, as well as altered metabolism all of which can aid in the onset and advancement of mental diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).