{"title":"Connectivity between Gut Microbiota and Terminal Awakenings in Alzheimer's Disease.","authors":"Mehmet Bostancıklıoğlu","doi":"10.2174/1567205020666230504153407","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Memory is empirically described as a brain function that connects the past to the present. This reductionist approach has focused on memory function within neurons and synapses, leading to an understanding that memory loss in dementia is caused by irreversible neuronal damage. However, recent palliative case reports and the Human Connectome Project have challenged the \"irreversible\" paradigm by indicating that some demented patients are able to retrieve supposed 'lost' memories and cognitive functions near death. The serotonin-centric hypothesis and the lifelong oligodendrocyte differentiation capacity may explain terminal awakening symptoms in these patients. Furthermore, an increased rate of serotonin-secreting and oligodendrocyte precursor cell-triggering gut bacteria near death temporally correlates with lucid improvements in demented patients. These findings may shift the context of terminal memory retrieval from a purely neuronal to a systemic idea that bridges terminal lucidity and gut microbiota. In this review, we take the systemic approach further and point out a temporal correlation between the gut microbiome and terminal lucid episodes in Alzheimer's patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":10810,"journal":{"name":"Current Alzheimer research","volume":"20 1","pages":"3-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8000,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Current Alzheimer research","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1567205020666230504153407","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"CLINICAL NEUROLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Memory is empirically described as a brain function that connects the past to the present. This reductionist approach has focused on memory function within neurons and synapses, leading to an understanding that memory loss in dementia is caused by irreversible neuronal damage. However, recent palliative case reports and the Human Connectome Project have challenged the "irreversible" paradigm by indicating that some demented patients are able to retrieve supposed 'lost' memories and cognitive functions near death. The serotonin-centric hypothesis and the lifelong oligodendrocyte differentiation capacity may explain terminal awakening symptoms in these patients. Furthermore, an increased rate of serotonin-secreting and oligodendrocyte precursor cell-triggering gut bacteria near death temporally correlates with lucid improvements in demented patients. These findings may shift the context of terminal memory retrieval from a purely neuronal to a systemic idea that bridges terminal lucidity and gut microbiota. In this review, we take the systemic approach further and point out a temporal correlation between the gut microbiome and terminal lucid episodes in Alzheimer's patients.
期刊介绍:
Current Alzheimer Research publishes peer-reviewed frontier review, research, drug clinical trial studies and letter articles on all areas of Alzheimer’s disease. This multidisciplinary journal will help in understanding the neurobiology, genetics, pathogenesis, and treatment strategies of Alzheimer’s disease. The journal publishes objective reviews written by experts and leaders actively engaged in research using cellular, molecular, and animal models. The journal also covers original articles on recent research in fast emerging areas of molecular diagnostics, brain imaging, drug development and discovery, and clinical aspects of Alzheimer’s disease. Manuscripts are encouraged that relate to the synergistic mechanism of Alzheimer''s disease with other dementia and neurodegenerative disorders. Book reviews, meeting reports and letters-to-the-editor are also published. The journal is essential reading for researchers, educators and physicians with interest in age-related dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Current Alzheimer Research provides a comprehensive ''bird''s-eye view'' of the current state of Alzheimer''s research for neuroscientists, clinicians, health science planners, granting, caregivers and families of this devastating disease.