Brain aging may be detected decades before symptoms appear, with links to gut health
A new UCLA study has found a connection between how quickly the brain ages and the bacteria and chemical byproducts found in the gut, offering a clue to what drives brain aging long before symptoms appear.
A UCLA study has discovered a potential link between brain aging and gut health, suggesting that signs of brain aging may be detectable decades before symptoms appear. By analyzing brain scans from nearly 1,500 adults, researchers developed a computer model that estimates each person's brain age based on communication patterns between different regions of the brain.
The study found that individuals whose brains appeared older than expected tended to perform worse on tests of working memory and executive function, as well as report more symptoms of depression. Additionally, in one study group, researchers analyzed stool samples and discovered that a higher Brain Aging Index was associated with specific gut bacteria and metabolic byproducts, including certain fat molecules, a cholesterol-related compound, and lower levels of a hormone called estetrol.
These findings suggest that the immune system, blood vessel function, communication between brain cells, and cellular energy production may be involved in the biological pathways related to brain aging. The study's senior author, Dr. Arpana Church, suggests that these early brain changes could be linked to the gut microbiome and its metabolites, potentially helping to identify individuals at risk for cognitive or mood-related decline earlier in life and opening the door to exploring whether targeting gut health could support healthier brain aging.
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