Research suggests that fecal transplants may one day help counteract the loss of genital function.
Scientists at the University of East Anglia transferred fecal matter from old mice to small mice before measuring how it affected animals’ memory and learning skills.
The results noted a significant change in the bacterial make-up of young rats in the nausea-sound process.
They then performed worse in a maze test designed to assess their memory and spatial study.
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Scientists have noted that young rats “began to behave like older rats, in terms of their cognitive function.”
In the long run, the team wondered if a fecal transplant from a young person to an older person could counteract the cognitive decline that occurs naturally with age.
“Aging is an inevitable process that begins immediately after birth and eventually leads to physical health problems as well as a decline in mental well-being and cognitive function,” study author David said. Said David Vazore.
“Research shows that the aging process can be linked to age-related changes in our gut microbiota.
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“Recently, the existence of two-way communication between the gut and the brain – known as the gut-brain axis – has emerged as an important player in shaping aspects of that behavior and cognitive function.
“We wanted to see how the transfer of intestinal microbes from old age to small rats could affect parts of the central nervous system associated with old age.”
See: What is a Fecal transplant?
Mutations in bacterial make-up in our gut are known to “affect a variety of systems,” but there is a “lack” of evidence that it has a direct effect on cognitive function, scientists wrote in the journal Microbiome.
To learn more, the team transferred gut bacteria from donors or young adult rats of older age to rats through fake microbial transplants (FMTs).
The results revealed that the small mice that received the transplant received “damaged spatial learning and memory.”
This happened with a change in the expression of proteins and “synaptic plasticity” involved in the signaling of neurons – a term that describes the structure of the signal that passes signals between nerve cells.
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Scientists also noted a “strong decrease” in some intestinal bacteria.
“Our research demonstrates fecal transplantation from an older donor to a younger recipient, resulting in an age-related shift in the formation of intestinal microbiota,” said Dr. Wauzer.
“The process affected the expression of proteins involved in the main functions of hippocampus – an important part of the brain that plays an important role in a variety of functions, including memory, learning as well as spatial exploration, emotional behavior and mood.
“In short, young mice behave like older mice, in terms of their cognitive function.”
No change was observed in the level of anxiety, “exploitative behavior” or “locomotor activity” of small rats.
The scientists concluded: “These results highlight the paramount importance of the gut-brain axis in aging and provide strong arguments for the creation of rejuvenating remedies for youth-like microbiota to improve cognitive functions and improve quality of life in the elderly.”
They believe their findings “provide a strong rationale for therapeutic restoration of microbiota, such as youth, to improve cognitive functions and quality of life in the elderly.”
Co-author Professor Claudio Nicoletti said: “While it remains to be seen whether transplants from very small donors can restore cognitive function in older recipients, findings suggest that age-related shifts in the intestinal microbiome may alter parts of the central nervous system. Is. ” , From the University of Florence.
Professor Arjan Narbade, co-author of the University of East Anglia, added: “Microbiome manipulation is increasingly being seen as a way to improve or maintain human health and these results are an exciting indication of the potential to help us in this age of health.
“We have set up an FMT service at Norwich Research Park to treat severe intestinal infections and are now exploring its effectiveness in humans to cope with a number of age-related conditions, including cognitive decline.”
What is fecal microbial transplantation?
When the U.S. Only when the UK has failed to stop bacterial diarrhea. In FMT is valid Clostridium difficile.
This includes procedures and processing taken from a healthy donor.
The fluid is then transplanted into the patient’s intestines through an endoscope. The purpose is to restore the balance of gut bacteria so that the patient can fight the infection.
Donors are tested for the first infection array. They should be free from medical problems and lead a healthy lifestyle.
C difficult While treatment can be difficult, there seems to be an initial cure then there is a chance of the infection coming back.
Bacteria may become less responsive to antibiotics over time, doctors will recommend FMT.
No cases of infection have been reported as a result of any patient receiving a transplant.
See: Study seeks super donors for fecal transplant
