Gut Bacteria Compound Linked to Increased Alzheimer's Risk and Cognitive Decline
New research indicates that a molecule produced by gut bacteria, imidazole propionate (ImP), may elevate the risk of Alzheimer's disease and accelerate cognitive decline in individuals with dementia. The study, led by University of Wisconsin-Madison professors Barbara Bendlin and Federico Rey, found that ImP can enter the bloodstream and reach the brain, where it contributes to the accumulation of abnormal beta amyloid and tau proteins, hallmarks of Alzheimer's. Participants in the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention with higher blood ImP concentrations showed more biological markers associated with abnormal proteins and impaired neuron function, as well as faster cognitive decline. A genetic variation, present in about 43% of the study population, was also linked to substantially higher ImP levels, potentially by affecting kidney removal of the compound.
