The role of the intestinal Microbiome in Alzheimer’s disease (TRIMIAD)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The role of the intestinal Microbiome in Alzheimer’s disease resource (TRIMIAD resource)
IRAS ID
188831
Contact name
John Powell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
We wish to investigate the role of gut bacteria in Alzheimer's disease by assessing individuals with a range of cognitive abilities over time. To do this we are collecting a resource of stool (faeces), saliva, urine and blood samples from people with Alzheimer’s disease, older people without Alzheimer’s disease and people with mild memory problems. These samples will be supported by the collection of dietary, dental, anthropometric and cognitive assessments at the baseline assessment.
Gut bacteria play an important role in human health. These bacteria break down indigestible food products to produce micronutrients and vitamins. They also stimulate the body’s immune system which in turn regulates the amount and types of bacteria we have in our gut (bacterial composition). Healthy individuals have a mixture of many different kinds of gut bacteria and this mixture is unique to each individual. The bacterial composition is usually relatively stable throughout adulthood but with ageing the number of different kinds of bacteria reduces.
Changes in complexity and loss of particular kinds of bacteria have been found in people with a number of different conditions such as type II diabetes and some forms of cancer, and not just in disorders associated with the digestive system.
There have been no previous studies examining gut bacterial composition in people with Alzheimer's disease. We therefore hope that this study will lead to an increased understanding of factors such as gut bacteria which may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease, and whether gut bacteria impacts upon other aspects of the condition. Although not a part of this study, in future we hope this increased understanding will lead to the development of prebiotic or probiotic therapies to treat or reduce symptoms.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SC/0028
Date of REC Opinion
11 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion