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. 2022;4(1):1-3.
doi: 10.31491/apt.2022.03.080. Epub 2022 Mar 30.

Microbiome in aging of Gut and Brain (MiaGB): paving the ways to understand gut-brain axis in aging

Michal M Masternak  1   2 , Hariom Yadav  3   4
Affiliations

Microbiome in aging of Gut and Brain (MiaGB): paving the ways to understand gut-brain axis in aging

Michal M Masternak et al. Aging Pathobiol Ther. 2022.

Abstract

Decades of aging research established several well-characterized theories of aging, yet as the studies often focus on different cellular mechanisms there is overall agreement that organismal aging is characterized by multi-factorial degenerative processes resulting from multiple alterations of different molecular pathways compromising cellular or tissues functions. Due to this complexity aging is a major risk factor for multiple diseases including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. It is well known that this multi-factorial process in some cases might be accelerated by the dysfunction of one organ as a source of chronic low-grade inflammation. Importantly, most recent studies provide strong evidence that the gut microbiome represents a new independent organ system mainly composed of a variety of microorganisms recognized as the microbiome. The high integrity of the microbiome with the host physiology and biochemical interactions between specific bacteria and cellular processes supports its organ-like function in organismal health and the process of aging. However, it is important to better understand what causes potential cellular stress to accelerate a variety of pathological changes, what is the specific role of our gut microbiome in process of human aging, and how we could use this knowledge to prevent or delay aging pathology.

Keywords: Aging; brain; cognition; dementia; diet; gut; microbiome.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: Michal M. Masternak is a member of the Editorial Board of Aging Pathobiology and Therapeutics. All authors declare no conflict of interest and were not involved in the journal’s review or decisions related to this manuscript.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Study of Microbiome in aging Gut and Brain (MiaGB) Consortium deciphering how gut health contributes to brain functions during human aging.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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