PUCMM Study Links 88 Dominicans' Gut Bacteria to Cognitive Decline

1 articles · Updated · De Último Minuto · Aug 12

Researchers at PUCMM analyzed 88 older Dominican adults and found specific gut microorganisms differed between Alzheimer’s patients, people with mild cognitive impairment and cognitively healthy adults.
The study, published in June in Dementia & Neuropsychologia, found overall bacterial diversity was similar across groups, but the differing microbes strengthened evidence of a gut-brain connection.
Foods including mango, lettuce and carrots were associated with more beneficial microorganisms, while sausage and other ultra-processed foods were linked to less healthy microbial profiles.
Martín Medrano said the findings show the underrepresented Dominican population has distinct microbiota patterns, though the study does not prove any food or bacterium causes, prevents or cures Alzheimer’s.
The team plans follow-up research to test whether the microbiota changes help drive Alzheimer’s or instead result from the disease, with the long-term aim of improving risk detection and prevention.