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Gut Bacterial Molecule Linked to Alzheimer’s-Related Brain Changes

Gut Bacterial Molecule Linked to Alzheimer’s-Related Brain Changes
Can gut bacteria quietly raise Alzheimer’s risk? New study has clues · indianexpress.com

Tiny organisms live in our intestines and help with many body processes.

Some of these bacteria make a substance called ImP.

Scientists want to know if ImP might affect the brain as people get older.

A new study looked at both people and mice.

It found that higher levels of ImP may be associated with brain changes linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

This does not show that ImP causes Alzheimer’s.

More details about the study are not provided in the article excerpt.

Key facts

Molecule
Imidazole propionate (ImP)
Source
Produced by some gut bacteria
How it is made
Certain bacteria make it while breaking down an amino acid found in proteins.
Study subjects
Humans and mice
Reported association
Higher ImP levels may be associated with brain changes linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
Research announcement
Highlighted in a University of Wisconsin–Madison research announcement on October 3; year not stated.

Sources

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