Fecal transplant may be used to reverse cognitive decline: Study

Team Udayavani, Oct 5, 2020, 5:46 PM IST

A study, in which UK’s Quadram Institute participated, suggested fecal transplants could one day be used to restore cognitive function in the elderly.

It showed how fecal transplants from older to younger mice altered their gut microbiome and caused spatial learning and memory impairment. Researchers hope that reversing the procedure could be used to combat cognitive decline among the elderly.

According to UPI, Scientists wanted to measure the effects of microbiome changes on anxiety, exploratory behavior and memory in mice. Researchers were able to trigger marked changes in the microbiomes of young mice by performing fecal transplants from older mice.

Scientists published the results of their experiments this week in the journal Microbiome.