Can an Indian-origin Researcher’s Probiotic Cocktail Prevent Dementia?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Probiotic cocktail developed to combat dementia.
- Targets gut microbiome to support brain health.
- Research shows improved cognitive performance in mice.
- May lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
- Ongoing efforts to commercialize the product.
New Delhi, May 7 (NationPress) An Indian-origin researcher based in the US has created a probiotic cocktail designed to combat dementia, a debilitating condition that impacts memory, cognitive functions, and the capacity to carry out daily tasks for over 57 million individuals globally.
This innovative mixture, crafted by Hariom Yadav from the University of South Florida, represents a distinctive combination of probiotics that can influence the microbiome— the vast community of microorganisms thriving in the human gut.
In healthy individuals, these microorganisms coexist peacefully, but certain bacteria and viruses can disrupt this balance, leading to systemic issues that may advance dementia and Alzheimer's disease, the leading cause of dementia.
As outlined in the journal Scientific Reports, this probiotic cocktail may serve as a groundbreaking treatment option to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and other dementia variants.
In the research, the team administered the cocktail through the drinking water of mice for 16 weeks, followed by a challenging "water maze" test where the mice were provided with visual cues to navigate to a concealed underwater platform.
The results indicated that the mice receiving the probiotic mixture were consistently quicker in locating the platform.
Additionally, the cocktail diminished the presence of proteins associated with the accumulation of harmful brain plaques, lowered brain inflammation, and maintained the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, thereby preventing the infiltration of detrimental microorganisms into the brain.
The outcomes imply that this probiotic blend can slow the advancement of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease, according to the researchers.
"Typically, research focuses on individual probiotics. However, we uncovered that when combined into a consortium, they possess enhanced capabilities for altering microbiomes, shifting them from harmful to beneficial," Yadav stated.
This probiotic cocktail aims to minimize inflammatory bacteria in the gut, effectively controlling their population. Yadav and his team are currently pursuing commercialization of the cocktail, engaging with various companies to potentially launch it in the market.