Alzheimer’s disease and Immune System Function

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most frequent causes of dementia of which there is no cure and treatment options are limited. Recently the human gut microbiome, the community of microorganisms that live within our intestines, has been connected to several neurodegenerative disorders, however this research among AD elders has been limited. Accordingly, our goal is to compare the microbiome of elders with AD to those without dementia, living in different settings, to determine the role the microbiome plays in cognitive decline while studying local and systemic immune function and brain cellular activity. Understanding how the intestinal microbiome impacts AD development and progression will provide novel therapeutic targets and enable future trials aimed at improving the memory of patients with AD. 

We are looking for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease to participate in this trial that will evaluate the gut microbiome and the immune system functioning over a 2-year participation time. This study will build the foundation for microbiome-based treatments to prevent cognitive decline in those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.  

Interested? Please, contact us at: 

E-mail: umass.emresearch@gmail.com 

Phone: 508-925-0348