The research found that the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae a common bacteria notorious for causing hospital-acquired infections can migrate from the gut into the bloodstream and eventually into the brain. This bacterial invasion may lead to increased inflammation in the brain and impair cognitive functions mimicking symptoms seen in Alzheimer’s patients. The work was published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases

Hospitalizations and ICU stays combined with antibiotic exposure may lead to a further decline in microbiome diversity that leaves older adults at high risk not only for digestive issues but also for extra-intestinal pathologies such as neurodegenerative disorders through a dysregulation of the gut-brain axis said Ravinder Nagpal an assistant professor in the FSU College of Education Health and Human Sciences and the director of the Gut Biome Lab.

The study is the first to show a direct correlation between K. pneumoniae infection and Alzheimer’s pathology fueling the emerging field that investigates how infectious agents may trigger or aggravate Alzheimer’s disease.

The research suggests that when antibiotics disrupt the gut it can lead to issues not just in the gut but also in the brain. Using a preclinical mouse model researchers showed that antibiotic exposure depletes gut bacterial diversity and causes microbiome imbalance

The study highlights the need for innovative therapeutic approaches to combat the rising prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in addition to existing amyloid and tau protein therapies. Further research could provide insight into preventive strategies aimed at managing hospital-acquired pathogens and preserving cognitive health in aging populations.

Source: https://news.fsu.edu/news/health-medicine/2024/10/24/fsu-researchers-uncover-new-link-between-gut-bacteria-and-alzheimers-disease/