Age-Related Dysbiosis as a Contributing Cause of Delerium
Delerium is not an often discussed topic in the context of aging research, but it is an age-related occurrence, usually presenting in the old, particularly those suffering neurodegenerative conditions. Researchers here argue that the aged gut microbiome contributes meaningfully to risk of episodes of delerium. The balance of populations in the gut microbiome changes with age in detrimental ways, such as an increase in pro-inflammatory microbial species and a loss of those microbes that generate beneficial metabolites. It is now known that Alzheimer's and Parkinson's patients exhibit a distinctly different gut microbiome from similarly aged individuals without evident neurodegenerative conditions.
Delirium is a clinical syndrome characterized by an acute change in attention, awareness, and cognition with fluctuating course, frequently observed in older patients during hospitalization for acute medical illness or after surgery. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial and still not completely understood, but there is general consensus on the fact that it results from the interaction between an underlying predisposition, such as neurodegenerative diseases, and an acute stressor acting as a trigger, such as infection or anesthesia.
Alterations in brain insulin sensitivity and metabolic function, increased blood-brain barrier permeability, neurotransmitter imbalances, abnormal microglial activation and neuroinflammation have all been involved in the pathophysiology of delirium. Interestingly, all these mechanisms can be regulated by the gut microbiota, as demonstrated in experimental studies investigating the microbiota-gut-brain axis in dementia. Aging is also associated with profound changes in gut microbiota composition and functions, which can influence several aspects of disease pathophysiology in the host. This review provides an overview of the emerging evidence linking age-related gut microbiota dysbiosis with delirium, opening new perspectives for the microbiota as a possible target of interventions aimed at delirium prevention and treatment.
It seems like every age related dysfunction points to the micro biome.
Other than the gross factor, I'm surprised that more older people aren't rushing out to get fecal implants from young donors. I haven't either. The screening factor is a big deal. They have to be super healthy, can't be overweight, can't be sick when they contribute, etc
There is no centralized place where you can go to get an implant from a perfect donor.
swallowing a pill self prepared by a supposedly screened donor is available commercially now but…..