The Neuroactive Potential of the Elderly Human Gut Microbiome is Associated with Mental Health Status

Abstract

Ageing is usually associated with physiological decline, increased mental health issues, and cognitive deterioration, alongside specific changes in the gut microbiome. However, the relationship between the neuroactive potential of the gut microbiome and mental health and cognition among the elderly remains less explored. This study examines a cohort of 153 older Chilean adults with cognitive complaints, assessing anthropometric data, mental health via five distinct tests, and gut microbiome composition through 16SV4 sequencing. Our findings reveal associations between anthropometric factors and depression scores in mental tests of participants with their gut microbiome composition. Notably, depression was associated with changes in the abundance of Lachnospiraceae Eubacterium xylanophilum group and Fusobacteriaceae Fusobacterium. Additionally, bacterial pathways involved in metabolising neuroactive compounds such as tryptophan, short-chain fatty acids, p-cresol, glutamate, and nitric oxide were associated with participant age, sex, and cognitive performance. Moreover, participants sex was associated with the neuroactive potential of specific bacteria, suggesting a role of the gut microbiome in sex-related mental health differences in the elderly. Together, to the best of our knowledge, this study demonstrates for the first time the association between the neuroactive potential of the human gut microbiome and mental health status in older individuals with cognitive complaints.