Fecal microbiota transplantation can improve cognition in patients with cognitive decline and Clostridioides difficile infection

Abstract

After fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to treat Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), cognitive improvement is noticeable, suggesting an essential association between the gut microbiome and neural function. Although the gut microbiome has been associated with cognitive function, it remains to be elucidated whether fecal microbiota transplantation can improve cognition in patients with cognitive decline.

The study included 10 patients (age range, 63–90 years; female, 80%) with dementia and severe CDI who were receiving FMT. Also, 10 patients (age range, 62–91; female, 80%) with dementia and severe CDI who were not receiving FMT. They were evaluated using cognitive function tests (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] and Clinical Dementia Rating scale Sum of Boxes [CDR-SB]) at 1 month before and after FMT or antibiotics treatment (control group). The patients’ fecal samples were analyzed to compare the composition of their gut microbiota before and 3 weeks after FMT or antibiotics treatment.

Ten patients receiving FMT showed significantly improvements in clinical symptoms and cognitive functions compared to control group. The MMSE and CDR-SB of FMT group were improved compare to antibiotics treatment (MMSE: 16.00, median, 13.00–18.00 [IQR] vs. 10.0, median, 9.8–15.3 [IQR]); CDR-SB: 5.50, median, 4.00–8.00 [IQR]) vs. 8.0, median, 7.9–12.5, [IQR]). FMT led to changes in the recipient’s gut microbiota composition, with enrichment of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism pathways were also significantly different after FMT.

This study revealed important interactions between the gut microbiome and cognitive function. Moreover, it suggested that FMT may effectively delay cognitive decline in patients with dementia.