Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding the connection between the gut and brain in Alzheimer’s disease. A team of scientists from the Institute of Nanotechnology in Italy, in collaboration with the European Synchrotron, has discovered how X-ray micro- and nano-tomography can provide clues on the processes that link gut neurons to those in the brain.
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by brain alteration, including synaptic loss, chronic inflammation, and neuronal cell death. Recent studies have found evidence that the gut and brain communicate through neurons in both organs, and dysfunction in this axis has been linked to psychiatric and neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s.
The gut microbiota plays a key role in human health and influences brain function, cognition, and behavior. Research suggests that changes in the gut composition can contribute to Alzheimer’s onset and progression. Dysbiosis, or the loss of microbial diversity, induces the prevalence of bad bacteria producing toxic metabolites that promote inflammation and break down the gut-brain barriers.
Using a powerful tool called nano- and micro X-ray phase-contrast tomography (XPCT), scientists have gained new insights into structural and morphological alterations in the gut. This technique allows for 3D imaging of soft biological tissues with minimal sample preparation, without the need for contrast agents.
The data revealed changes in cell abundance and organization in the tissues, as well as structural alterations in mice affected by Alzheimer’s disease. These findings include altered villi and crypts, cellular transformations in Paneth and goblet cells, and detection of telocytes, neurons, erythrocytes, and mucus secretion within the gut cavity.
This breakthrough technique represents a significant advancement in analyzing the gut and could be pivotal in early detection and prognosis of Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers plan to further explore the capabilities of XPCT to study how the gut communicates with the central nervous system, aiming to identify new therapeutic targets and develop innovative treatments for this devastating disease.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1072277