The Effect of Gut Microbiome Modifications on Chemosensory Deficiencies in C. elegans Models of Alzheimer’s Disease

Solod, Grace

Student Work

The Effect of Gut Microbiome Modifications on Chemosensory Deficiencies in C. elegans Models of Alzheimer’s Disease

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Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting about 10% of all people over the age of 65. There are no cures for AD, and treatment options are limited. Current evidence suggests a potential correlation between gut microbiome dysbiosis and AD development and progression. This study utilized a transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans model of AD to test whether gut microbiome supplementation with individual bacterial strains could hold potential therapeutic power for treatment of AD. Behavioral assays were used to determine the potential amelioration of chemosensation deficiencies in the AD model, and it was found that gut microbiome supplementation with all six tested bacterial strains improved chemosensation in the transgenic AD strain of C. elegans. These results provide further evidence for the potential use of microbiome supplementation as a treatment option for AD.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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