Gut-Derived Metabolites and Cognitive Health: Roles of Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Trimethylamine N-oxide - PubMed
7 hours ago
- #gut-brain axis
- #cognitive health
- #microbial metabolites
- The gut microbiota plays a significant role in host physiology, extending beyond digestion and metabolism.
- The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication network connecting the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system.
- Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) are key microbial metabolites involved in gut-brain signaling.
- SCFAs and TMAO have potential roles in neuroinflammation, vascular dysfunction, and cognitive decline.
- Altered gut microbiota and reduced SCFA levels are associated with Parkinson's disease severity and neurological phenotypes.
- TMAO has been detected in human cerebrospinal fluid and interacts with the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier.
- Circulating TMAO levels are linked with Alzheimer's disease biomarkers, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia-related neuroimaging features.
- TMAO supplementation promotes brain aging and cognitive impairment in animal models.
- SCFAs, particularly butyrate, show neuroprotective effects in models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
- SCFAs may modulate immune responses, preserve blood-brain barrier integrity, and regulate microglial activity.
- TMAO is associated with endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neurovascular impairment.
- Current evidence supports biologically plausible but preliminary roles for gut-derived metabolites in cognitive health.
- Human causality remains unproven, and clinical translation is premature.