Gut microbiota alterations in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Yujia Liu, Xiuru Wang, Weilin Huang et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined gut microbiota differences in older adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) compared to cognitively normal (CN) controls. The analysis included 23 studies, revealing no significant differences in α-diversity between AD and CN (Shannon SMD = -0.23) or MCI and CN (Shannon SMD = -0.01). However, β-diversity indicated potential community-structure disruption in AD.
Key findings
- No significant differences in α-diversity were found between AD and CN (Shannon SMD = -0.23).
- MCI showed non-significant differences in α-diversity compared to CN (Shannon SMD = -0.01).
- β-diversity suggested community-structure disruption in AD, with less consistent findings in MCI.
- Heterogeneity in microbiome studies limits the interpretive value of findings across disease stages.
Why it matters
Understanding gut microbiota alterations in AD and MCI could provide insights into disease mechanisms and potential biomarkers. However, current findings suggest α-diversity may not be a reliable indicator, emphasizing the need for further research.