Prebiotics May Boost Brainpower in Older Adults: Gut Bacteria Study

This study in Nature Communications investigated the potential link between gut bacteria and cognitive function in older adults. Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial with 72 participants aged 60 and above. Each participant had a twin who acted as a control, receiving a placebo. All participants exercised and took supplements, but half got a prebiotic daily. While physical function didn't change, the prebiotic group showed significantly better cognitive function compared to the placebo group. This suggests prebiotics, which are cheap and easy to find, might be a way to improve brain function in older adults. The study also showed promise for remote clinical trials with older people.

Key Findings:

• The prebiotic intervention resulted in changes to the gut microbiome, with an increase in Bifidobacterium, a type of bacteria.

• There was no significant difference between the prebiotic and placebo groups in terms of physical function, measured by chair rise time.

• However, the prebiotic group showed significantly improved cognitive function compared to the placebo group.

Significance:

These findings suggest that manipulating gut bacteria through prebiotics may be a viable strategy to improve cognitive function in older adults. This is particularly promising because prebiotics are readily available and relatively inexpensive.

Additional Points:

• The study also highlights the feasibility of conducting clinical trials remotely using video calls, online questionnaires, and mailed equipment. This approach could increase participation rates among older adults who might struggle to attend in-person visits.

• Further research is needed to confirm these results and explore the underlying mechanisms by which gut bacteria influence cognition.

Ageing is often accompanied by increased frailty and cognitive decline, posing significant challenges to older adults' overall well-being and quality of life. Recent research has highlighted the potential role of the gut microbiome in influencing these age-related phenomena. In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), researchers investigated the effects of a prebiotic supplement on frailty, muscle strength, and cognition in older adults. This article provides a detailed analysis of the trial findings and discusses the implications for future research in the fields of ageing and gut microbiome modulation.

Prebiotic Intervention and Gut Microbiome Changes

The RCT demonstrated that the prebiotic supplement was well-tolerated and led to significant changes in the gut microbiome composition, particularly an increase in the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium. This highlights the potential of prebiotics to modulate gut microbiota in older adults, which could have implications for various aspects of health and well-being.

Impact on Muscle Strength and Function

Contrary to expectations, the prebiotic intervention did not result in improvements in muscle strength or function compared to placebo over the 12-week intervention period. Despite previous studies suggesting the potential benefits of prebiotics on muscle health, including grip strength and frailty index improvement, the findings from this trial did not support such outcomes. It is speculated that the relatively short duration of the intervention may have been insufficient for significant changes in muscle strength to manifest.

Considerations for Future Research

The study duration and dosage of the prebiotic supplement were based on previous trials; however, the lack of improvement in muscle strength raises questions about optimal intervention parameters. Future research should explore longer intervention periods and different dosages to elucidate the potential benefits of prebiotics on muscle health in older adults.

Cognitive Effects of Prebiotic Supplementation

Interestingly, the prebiotic intervention demonstrated a significant improvement in cognition compared to placebo, as evidenced by changes in cognitive test scores. This finding underscores the emerging role of the gut-brain axis in influencing cognitive function and suggests that gut microbiome modulation may hold promise for mitigating age-related cognitive decline.

To summarize

• Participants: 72 individuals (36 twin pairs) aged 63–83 years.

• Intervention: prebiotic supplement vs. placebo for 12 weeks.

• All participants: engaged in resistance exercise and took BCAA supplements.

• Outcomes measured: physical function (chair rise time, grip strength, etc.), cognitive function (memory tests, etc.), and gut microbiome composition.

• Key Findings:

• Prebiotics led to significant changes in gut bacteria composition, with an increase in Bifidobacterium.

• There was no significant difference between the prebiotic and placebo groups in physical function.

• The prebiotic group showed improved cognitive function compared to the placebo group.

• Specifically, better performance in a memory test is considered a predictor of Alzheimer's disease.

• Prebiotics were well-tolerated, with mild side effects like bloating reported more in the prebiotic group.

• Microbiome and Cognitive Function:

• Eight specific gut bacteria features were correlated with cognitive function (factor score) after adjusting for various factors. One of these features was the phylum Actinobacteria, which increased in the prebiotic group compared to placebo.

• Additionally, changes in Veillonellaceae abundance (increased) were associated with improved cognitive function scores.

• Overall, this section suggests that prebiotics might influence gut bacterial composition and potentially impact both physical and cognitive function in older adults. However, more research is needed to understand the specific cause-and-effect relationships.

Implications and Future Directions

While the study did not achieve its primary outcome of improving muscle strength, it provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between ageing, the gut microbiome, and health outcomes. The feasibility of remotely delivered interventions in older adults and the potential for prebiotics to influence cognitive function warrant further investigation. Future studies should focus on optimizing intervention parameters and exploring the mechanistic links between gut microbiome changes and health outcomes in ageing populations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the RCT investigating the effects of prebiotic supplementation on frailty, muscle strength, and cognition in older adults yielded mixed results. While the prebiotic intervention did not lead to improvements in muscle strength, it showed promise in enhancing cognitive function. These findings underscore the need for further research to elucidate the potential benefits of gut microbiome modulation in promoting healthy ageing and mitigating age-related decline in physical and cognitive function.

Journal Reference

Ni Lochlainn, M., Bowyer, R.C.E., Moll, J.M. et al. Effect of gut microbiome modulation on muscle function and cognition: the PROMOTe randomised controlled trial. Nat Commun 15, 1859 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-46116-y

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