NA, 23/06/2025
400 Scientists brainstormed on Role of the Gut Microbiome in Brain Health via the Gut–Brain Axis and Emerging Scientific Evidence on Role of Functional Foods (including products containing Antioxidants, Polyphenols, Bioactives, Dietary Fibres, Prebiotics, Probiotics, Synbiotic) in Preventing and Managing Neurodegeneration at ILSI India K-FFIG sponsored Seminar on “Gut Microbiome and Neurodegeneration: Can Functional Foods Be the Key” held on 23rd June in New Delhi in Hybrid Mode..
The Presentations included the following:
OPENING SESSION
· Welcome Address
Dr. B. Sesikeran, Chairman, K-FFIG Governing Council
SESSION 1
Introduction to the Gut-Brain Axis with Special Focus on: The Gut Microbiome in Neurological Disorders and Aging
· Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) Producing Bacteria in the Modulation of Gut- Brain Axis
Dr. Kanthi Kiran Kondepudi, Scientist-F, Healthy Gut Research Group, Food & Nutrition Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food and Biomanufacturing Institute (BRIC-NABI), Mohali
· Changes in Gut Microbiota Composition with Age and Relation with Cognitive Decline
Prof. Dheeraj Khurana, Professor and In-charge Stroke Program and MS Clinic, Department of Neurology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh
· Gut Microbiome Patterns: Assessing Mechanisms & Clinical Relevance in Schizophrenia
Dr. Kuppan Gokulakrishnan, Associate Professor, Department of Neurochemistry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru
· Microbiome Dysbiosis in Parkinson’s Disease- Emerging Evidence
Dr. Mamatha Ballal, Professor of Microbiology, Enteric Diseases Division – Head, Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal
SESSION 2A
Functional Foods: Mechanistic Insights & Clinical Evidence on How Functional Foods Influence Brain Health
· Functional Foods, Their Neurological Impact and Role in Brain Health
Dr. Seema Puri, Former Professor, Department of Nutrition, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi, New Delhi
· Dietary Interventions in Indian Knowledge Systems and Brain Functions- Few Examples
Dr. D. B. Anantha Narayana, CSO, Ayurvidye Trust, Bengaluru
· Gut Microbiome and Neurodegenerative Disorders: Early Detection of Parkinson and Alzheimer and Intervention Strategies
Dr Pankaj Seth, Professor and Scientist-VII, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Neurovirology Section, National Brain Research Centre (NBRC), Gurugram
SESSION 2B
Functional Foods: Mechanistic Insights & Clinical Evidence on How Functional Foods Influence
Brain Health
· Review of Human Clinical Trials and Animal Studies and Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Cognitive Functions
Variability in Microbiome Responses between Individuals and Difficulty in Proving Causation vs. Correlation
Dr. Sunil Sazawal, Professor and Executive Director, Center for Public Health Kinetics (CPHK), New Delhi
· Management of Autism Spectrum Disorder through Probiotics
Dr. Prakash M. Halami, Chief Scientist and Professor-AcSIR and Head, Department of Microbiology and Fermentation Technology, CSIR— Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysuru
SESSION 3
Panel Discussion on Integrative Approach, Future Directions and Innovation
• Synergistic Effects of Diet, Exercise and Stress Management
Dr. D. B. Anantha Narayana, CSO, Ayurvidye Trust, Bengaluru
• Next-Generation Probiotics and Postbiotics
Dr. Bhabatosh Das, Professor & Head, Microbial Research Centre, BRIC-Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (BRIC- THSTI), Faridabad
THESE PRESENTATIONS CAN BE VIEWED FROM: https://tinyurl.com/aetz753v.