It is estimated that 1 in 9 individuals over the age of 65 are living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and research has shown that the prevalence rate is growing. Currently there is no cure and only limited treatments for AD. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiome has been observed in patients with AD and may contribute to the development of the disease. This study used a transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans AD model to investigate the therapeutic potential of gut microbiome supplementation and punicalagin extract as treatment of AD. Behavioral assays were used to assess the potential amelioration of chemoreception deficiencies of the C. elegans AD model with treatment. It was found that gut microbiome supplementation partially improved chemoreception deficiencies and punicalagin treatment fully improved chemoreception to control level. Both of these treatments have potential as acting as therapeutics 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.

Creator

• Tarantino, Sarah

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-121621-124101
• 43601

Advisor

• Srinivasan, Jagan

Year

• 2021

Date created

• 2021-12-16

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright