Summary: Researchers have used advanced X-ray phase-contrast ct (XPCT) to discover how gut health perhaps impact Alzheimer’s disease. The research found structural changes in the intestines of Alzheimer ‘s-affected animals, revealing abnormalities in bowel cells, cells, and mucus production.
This supports the hypothesis that harmful gut microbes may avoid into circulation, triggering brain disease and aging. The findings provide a new method for identifying first illness markers and highlight the gut-brain connection.
Scientists want to find out more about how the mind and intestinal nervous system interact with one another in Alzheimer’s. The study opens the door to possible novel therapeutic goals based on gut health.
Important Facts:
- Gut-Brain Link: Structural changes in gut cells of Alzheimer ‘s-affected mice suggest a possible pathway for disease progression.
- Advanced Imaging: X-ray phase-contrast imaging allows non-invasive, high-resolution scanning of colon muscle without comparison agents.
- Possible Therapy Target: Recognizing gut-brain conversation may enable the development of novel Alzheimer’s therapies.
Origin: ESRF
Experts from the Italian Institute of Nanotechnology, in collaboration with the ESRF, and the German Synchrotron in Grenoble, France, have discovered how X-ray micro and nanotomography may reveal the mechanisms that link the brain and gut synapses, which may lead to Alzheimer’s.
The results are published in Science Improvements.
Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, is a neurological condition characterized by mental changes including neuronal damage, chronic inflammation and cerebral cell death.
Scientists have discovered evidence in recent years that the colon and the mind connect through the neurons housed in both of these tissues. Difficulties in this plane has been linked to clinical and neurological issues, including Alzheimer’s.
The gut bacteria, which refers to the microorganisms in the intestinal system, plays a vital role in human health and influences mental function, thinking and behavior.
According to Alessia Cedola, a researcher from the Italian Institute of Nanotechnology and related author of the article,” there are already several studies that support that changes in the gut content can lead to Alzheimer’s beginning and progression.”
In particular, microbiome, which is the method by which there is a reduction of bacterial diversity, induces the prevalence of harmful bacteria producing harmful metabolites promoting inflammation, and, therefore, the breakage of the gut/brain barriers.
What precisely occurs during gut dysbiosis?
” The main hypothesis is that changes trigger the escape of bad bacteria from the gut, entering the circulation, reaching the brain and triggering Alzheimer’s, but evidence is still poor”, adds Cedola.
Getting to the core of gut health
Without using tissue manipulation, scientists have now discovered that nano- and micro X-ray phase-contrast tomography (XPCT) is a potent tool for studying structural and morphological changes in the gut. The team came to the ESRF, the European Synchrotron, in Grenoble, France, to scan samples on beamline ID16A.
Peter Cloetens, scientist in charge of ID16A and co-author of the publication, says” Thanks to this technique we can image soft biological tissues with excellent sensitivity in 3D, with minimal sample preparation and without contrast agents.”
The results of the experiments, which were partially conducted at Soleil, revealed changes in the tissues ‘ levels of cell organization and organization as well as structural alteration in various tissues of Alzheimer ‘s-positive mice.
Specifically, it showed relevant alterations in the villi and crypts of the gut, cellular transformations in Paneth and goblet cells, along with the detection of telocytes, neurons, erythrocytes, and mucus secretion by goblet cells within the gut cavity.
All these elements, when working correctly, maintain gut health, support digestion, and protect the intestinal lining from damage.
Cedola claims that this method is a real breakthrough in the field of thorough gut analysis, and that it could be very helpful for the disease’s early detection and treatment.
And she adds:” As a long-time user of the ESRF, I can attest to the incredible opportunities that this facility provides for cutting-edge research, and the nanoimaging beamline, especially with the EBS. Coming to the ESRF has had a significant impact on improving our understanding of the gut-brain axis in Alzheimer’s disease.
Next, the researchers will use the XPCT’s capabilities to further study how the gut and the central nervous system interact with one another. The team wants to learn more about the enteric nervous system’s function in Alzheimer’s disease.
We hope to discover new therapeutic targets and create novel treatments for this devastating disease by better understanding these processes. We look forward to many more exciting discoveries in the near future and the ESRF will undoubtedly continue to play a significant part in our research,” says Cedola.
This study highlights the value of biomedical studies at the ESRF, with the facility’s goal to expand this field’s reach in the coming years.
About this microbiome and Alzheimer’s disease research news
Author: Delphine Chenevier
Source: ESRF
Contact: Delphine Chenevier – ESRF
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
” Investigating gut alterations in Alzheimer’s disease: In-depth analysis with micro- and nano- 3D X- ray phase contrast tomography” by Alessia Cedola et al. Science Advances
Abstract
Investigating gut alterations in Alzheimer’s disease: In-depth analysis with micro- and nano- 3D X- ray phase contrast tomography
More than 30 million people worldwide are affected by Alzheimer’s disease ( AD), a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder with a largely enigmatic etiology. It is still one of the biggest public health issues.
The complex gut-brain axis, which serves as a crucial communication link between the gut and the brain, appears to have a significant impact on the development of AD. Our study illustrates the impressive accuracy of X-ray phase-contrast tomography (XPCT) in a sophisticated three-dimensional study of gut cellular composition and structure.
The exploitation of micro- and nano-XPCT on various AD mouse models unveiled relevant alterations in villi and crypts, cellular transformations in Paneth and goblet cells, along with the detection of telocytes, neurons, erythrocytes, and mucus secretion by goblet cells within the gut cavity.
The gut structural variations that have been observed may help to explain the transition from dysbiosis to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Utilizing XPCT could be crucial for the early detection and treatment of the disease.
