Brain age mediates gut microbiome dysbiosis-related cognition in older adults

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have focused on improving our understanding of gut microbiome dysbiosis and its impact on cognitive function. However, the relationship between gut microbiome composition, accelerated brain atrophy, and cognitive function has not yet been fully explored. METHODS: We recruited 292 participants from South Korean memory clinics to undergo brain magnetic resonance imaging, clinical assessments, and collected stool samples. We employed a pretrained brain age model- a measure associated with neurodegeneration. Using cluster analysis, we categorized individuals based on their microbiome profiles and examined the correlations with brain age, Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, and the Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Box (CDR-SB). RESULTS: Two clusters were identified in the microbiota at the phylum level that showed significant differences on a few microbiotas phylum. Greater gut microbiome dysbiosis was associated with worse cognitive function including MMSE and CDR-SB; this effect was partially mediated by greater brain age even when accounting for chronological age, sex, and education. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that brain age mediates the link between gut microbiome dysbiosis and cognitive performance. These insights suggest potential interventions targeting the gut microbiome to alleviate age-related cognitive decline.