Study the potential of PS23 probiotics in Alzheimer’s disease model mice

Abstract Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behaviors. Studies have proved that there is a bidirectional communication in the gut‐brain axis. Recently, increasing evidence indicate the association between gut dysbiosis and AD, and studies show that probiotics can affect gut dysbiosis through the gut‐brain axis. Lactobacillus paracasei PS23 is a probiotic isolated from healthy human feces, and several studies suggest it can ameliorate cognitive decline, aging progression, and depression. Whether PS23 show effect on AD remains to be explored. Method We applied the PS23 one week before and four weeks after the Aβ injection into the mouse hippocampal CA1 region. A series of behavior tasks were performed to analyze the cognition and anxiety of mice. We also investigated whether probiotic PS23 changed the gut microbiota composition and gene expression in mouse hippocampus. Result PS23 showed a tendency in improving the short‐term memory and spatial learning ability of an Aβ‐injected acute AD model mice. In addition, synapse protection and anti‐inflammation were observed after PS‐23 treatment. The gut microbiota composition showed some bacteria strains were different after Aβ injection and oral administration of PS23. How the alteration in microbiota associates with AD is under characterization. In addition, the alteration in hippocampal gene expression profile will be used to further elucidate the molecular mechanism of PS23 in the AD model mice. Conclusion Results of this project suggest that PS23 might have benefit in improving the short‐term memory and spatial learning of an Aβ‐injected acute AD model mice through anti‐inflammation, which could provide some options in the strategy for AD prevention or therapy.