ILSI India K-FFIG Seminar on “Gut Microbiome and Neurodegeneration: Can Functional Foods Be the Key?”

INTRODUCTION

Globally as well as in India life expectancy is increasing. By 2050 Global life expectancy is expected to increase from currently 73.6 years to 78.1 years and in India from 72.5 years to 78 years and the number of elderly in India will also increase from 158 million to 347 million. Improvement in healthcare system, decline in infant mortality, higher income, better access to medical care and lifestyle changes are leading towards increase in the population of those 60 years and above and at the same time increase in age related health issues.

The mechanisms contributing to the development of neurological diseases are same as those contributing to normal ageing such as: oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and vascular dysfunction. In pathological conditions, these mechanisms get aggravated, caused by different factors like genetic or environmental.

It is the progressive loss of functional neurons that is characterized as neurodegeneration. This is particularly pronounced during aging and results in debilitating conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Symptoms appear typically after 70–80% neuronal loss, resulting in irreversible damage. It is estimated that in the year 2020, 5.3 million people in India above the age of 60 (i.e., one in 27 elderly) had Dementia (Kumar et al., 2019). Such problems cause not only economic burden but adversely affect the lives of patients and caregivers.

Currently no cure is available. Several drugs have been approved but they can only alleviate symptoms and may lead to undesirable side effects. It is, therefore, critical that alternative approaches may be identified for both “Prevention” and “Management”.

In recent years, considerable information has been accumulated on the relationship between gut microbiome and brain function through the “gut brain axis”. The term "gut microbiome" refers to the complex ecosystem of bacteria that colonize the gut, including their genes, proteins, and metabolites (Korecka and Arulampalam, 2012). The gut microbiome is highly sensitive to negative external lifestyle aspects, such as diet, sleep deprivation, circadian rhythm disturbance, chronic noise, and sedentary behaviour, which are also considered as important risk factors for the development of neurological degeneration such as Alzheimer's. Studies have shown that intestinal dysbiosis, caused by changes in diet, antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and pathogenic microorganisms, can adversely affect cognitive functions of the brain.

The bidirectional interaction between the gut and the brain is now well recognized. Emerging evidence has suggested the importance of the gut microbiome in this two way communication system (enabling the gut microbes to communicate with the brain and the brain with the gut) (Keunen et al., 2015).

The role of Functional Foods including products containing Antioxidants, Polyphenols, Bioactives, Dietary Fibres, Prebiotics, Probiotics, Synbiotic in protecting and promoting health is well known. Can they be beneficial for neuroprotection and prevention and management of neurodegeneration through management of gut microbes?  This needs to be investigated.

FOCUS

As new research continues to shed light on brain health, there is an increasing need to discuss alternative ways to protect against neurodegeneration.

The K-FFIG Seminar will critically examine how Functional Foods might help prevent and manage these conditions through strengthening “Gut Microbiome”, and discuss whether more research is needed in this promising area. This Seminar will be held on 23rd June at New Delhi.

16 Experts will share research findings and discuss future strategies for brain health.

For Registration:

Online Registration Link: https://forms.gle/es3kEqUwd8RE3JDZA

In Person Registration Link: https://forms.gle/6edriR5CmBpG7u7k7

Deadline for Registration is 16^th June