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Impulsivity is an important determinant of human behaviour, affecting self-control, reasonable thinking and food choices. Recent evidence suggests a role for gut microbiota in human behaviour, but the relationship between gut microbiota and impulsive behaviours remains largely unexplored. To address this knowledge gap, the present study aims to explore the associations between faecal microbiota composition with trait and behavioural impulsivity, in a subcohort of the PREDIMED-Plus trial, including older adults presenting overweight/obesity. Fecal samples ( n  = 231) were profiled for their microbiota composition using 16 S rRNA amplicon sequencing and impulsivity was determined through four different assessments. Adherence to different dietary patterns was estimated through questionnaires. Beta diversity analyses showed a significant association with the Conner’s Performance Test (CPT) in multivariate-adjusted models, and, in total, 13 bacterial genera associated with CPT. Erysipelotrichaceae UCG 003 showed the highest association with CPT and known butyrate producers such as Butyricicoccus spp., Roseburia spp., and Eubacterium hallii were among the identified bacteria. The bacteria Lachnospiraceae UCG 001, Anaerostipes and Blautia were associated with CPT and also the adherence to healthy and unhealthy plant-based diets. In addition, functional analysis showed a significant negative association between the CPT and the glucuronate and galacturonate metabolic pathways. From the other impulsivity assessments, two more associations were identified, for the genus Phascolarctobacterium with the Stroop test, and the genus Lachnospiraceae GAG 54 with the positive urgency subscore of UPPS-P Impulsive Behaviour Scale. Overall, our findings suggest potential links between the faecal microbiota composition and function with behavioural impulsive inattention as determined by the CPT.

Bidirectional communication and mutual regulation between the gastrointestinal tract and the CNS is facilitated through the gut-brain axis. Recent studies have found reduced diversity of the gut microbiota in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, and animal models suggest microbial involvement in amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) accumulation. Modulation of the gut microbiota by new-generation probiotics represents a novel treatment strategy to alleviate the symptoms and slow the progression of AD. In this study, the therapeutic effect of the probiotic and the prebiotic galactooligosaccharides (GOS) was investigated in the APP/PS1 mouse model. After 7 months of triweekly administration, we evaluated physiological parameters, glucose metabolism, and behavioral outcomes. Additionally, we assessed gut microbiota diversity and composition, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations in the cecum, Aβ load in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, and microglial abundance in the hippocampus. and GOS administration normalized fasting glucose levels, glucose metabolism, and intestinal transit time to wild-type levels. Furthermore, supplementation reduced anxiety, improved long-and short-term memory, and partially restored activity levels. It also regulated SCFA concentrations in the cecum, improved the richness of the gut microbiota, and normalized abundance of microglia in the hippocampus, indicating reduced neuroinflammation. These findings suggest that long-term administration of and GOS effectively improves metabolic health and modulates symptoms of AD in the APP/PS1 mouse model.

Background Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption has been linked to adverse metabolic outcomes, potentially mediated by alterations in gut microbiota and metabolite production. Objective This study aims to explore the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between NOVA-classified UPF consumption, fecal microbiota, and fecal metabolome in a population of Mediterranean older adults at high cardiovascular risk. Methods A total of 385 individuals, aged between 55 and 75 years, were included in the study. Dietary and lifestyle information, anthropometric measurements, and stool samples were collected at baseline and after 1-year follow-up. Fecal microbiota and metabolome were assessed using 16 S rRNA sequencing and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. Results At baseline, higher UPF consumption was associated with lower abundance of Ruminococcaceae incertae sedis (β = − 0.275, P  = 0.047) and lower concentrations of the metabolites propionylcarnitine (β = − 0.0003, P  = 0.013) and pipecolic acid (β = − 0.0003, P  = 0.040) in feces. Longitudinally, increased UPF consumption was linked to reduced abundance of Parabacteroides spp. after a 1-year follow-up (β = − 0.278, P  = 0.002). Conclusions High UPF consumption was associated with less favorable gut microbiota and metabolite profiles, suggesting a possible link to reduced short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, altered mitochondrial energy metabolism, and impaired amino acid metabolism. These findings support the reduction of UPF consumption and the promotion of dietary patterns rich in fiber for better gut health. Further research is needed to confirm these associations and clarify the underlying mechanisms. Trial registration : ISRCTN89898870 ( https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN89898870 ).

Microbiome is a keystone polymicrobial community that coexist with human body in a beneficial relationship. These microorganisms enable the human body to maintain homeostasis and take part in mechanisms of defense against infection and in the absorption of nutrients. Even though microbiome is involved in physiologic processes that are beneficial to host health, it may also cause serious detrimental issues. Additionally, it has been proven that bacteria can migrate to other human body compartments and colonize them even although significant structural differences with the area of origin exist. Such migrations have been clearly observed when the causes of genesis and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) have been investigated. It has been demonstrated that the oral microbiome is capable of penetrating into the large intestine and cause impairments leading to dysbiosis and stimulation of cancerogenic processes. The main actors of such events seem to be oral pathogenic bacteria belonging to the red and orange complex (regarding classification of bacteria in the context of periodontal diseases), such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum respectively, which are characterized by significant amount of cancerogenic virulence factors. Further examination of oral microbiome and its impact on CRC may be crucial on early detection of this disease and would allow its use as a precise non-invasive biomarker.

The gut microbiota plays a potential role in the pathophysiology of depression through the gut–brain axis. This cross-sectional study in 400 participants from the PREDIMED-Plus study investigates the interplay between gut microbiota and depression using a multi-omics approach. Depression was defined as antidepressant use or high Beck Depression Inventory-II scores. Gut microbiota was characterized by 16S rRNA sequencing, and faecal metabolites were analysed via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Participants with depression exhibited significant differences in gut microbial composition and metabolic profiles. Differentially abundant taxa included Acidaminococcus, Christensenellaceae R-7 group , and Megasphaera , among others. Metabolomic analysis revealed 15 significantly altered metabolites, primarily lipids, organic acids, and benzenoids, some of which correlated with gut microbial features. This study highlights the interplay between the gut microbiota and depression, paving the way for future research to determine whether gut microbiota influences depression pathophysiology or reflects changes associated with depression.

We aimed to identify how physical activity (PA), within the context of a Mediterranean diet, affects metabolic variables and gut microbiota in older individuals with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome. Observational analysis was conducted as part of the PREDIMED-Plus study with 152 males and 145 females with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome. General assessments, anthropometric and biochemical measurements, and gut microbial 16S rRNA sequencing data were analyzed at baseline and 1-year of follow-up. Participants were stratified by tertiles of 1-year change in total PA-related energy expenditure ranging from -98.77 to 1099.99 METs (min/week). The total PA percentage of change was reduced in tertile 1 (-44.83 ± 24.94), increased in tertile 2 (28.96 ± 23.33) and tertile 3 (273.64 ± 221.42). Beta diversity analysis showed differences in the gut microbiota population within each tertile group. Significant differences were found at phylum, family, and genus levels in the gut microbiota of the three tertile groups at baseline and 1-year timepoint. Tertile 3, the group with the greatest increase in PA, was characterized by increases in their levels of , and bacteria as well as a reduction in . Moreover, this tertile showed a different pattern in its predicted metabolic capacities to the other groups. Our results have demonstrated that changes in PA such as lifestyle and Mediterranean diet induces specific variations in the gut microbiota profile. This modulation of gut microbiome populations and their metabolic capacities may contribute to the health of the aged individuals with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Gut microbiota is essential for the development of obesity and related comorbidities. However, studies describing the association between specific bacteria and obesity or weight loss reported discordant results. The present observational study, conducted within the frame of the PREDIMED-Plus clinical trial, aims to assess the association between fecal microbiota, body composition and weight loss, in response to a 12-month lifestyle intervention in a subsample of 372 individuals (age 55–75) with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome. Participants were stratified by tertiles of baseline body mass index (BMI) and changes in body weight after 12-month intervention. General assessments, anthropometry and biochemical measurements, and stool samples were collected. 16S amplicon sequencing was performed on bacterial DNA extracted from stool samples and microbiota analyzed. Differential abundance analysis showed an enrichment of Prevotella 9, Lachnospiraceae UCG-001 and Bacteroides, associated with a higher weight loss after 12-month of follow-up, whereas in the cross-sectional analysis, Prevotella 2 and Bacteroides were enriched in the lowest tertile of baseline BMI. Our findings suggest that fecal microbiota plays an important role in the control of body weight, supporting specific genera as potential target in personalized nutrition for obesity management. A more in-depth taxonomic identification method and the need of metabolic information encourages to further investigation.

The experimental details reported in preclinical fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) protocols are highly inconsistent, variable, and/or incomplete. We therefore evaluated FMT from a human donor to antibiotic-induced microbial-depleted mice by exploring the effects of six techniques based on antibiotic (AB) or antibiotic + antimycotic (AB + T) gut decontamination, different administration routes, and different dosing intervals on the gut microbial population, assessed using 16S and 18S sequencing. In addition, we explored the effectiveness of FMT in terms of inflammation, physiological, and behavioral outcomes. Our results showed that intrarectal FMT at low dosing intervals better preserved the donor’s gut bacterial community at genus level. Furthermore, we showed a lower abundance of several genera of fungi in animals treated with AB + T. In addition, we observed that AB + T gut decontamination followed by per os FMT, once every 3 days, affected behavioral parameters when compared to other FMT techniques. Accordingly, the same FMT groups that showed an association with some of the behavioral tests were also related to specific gut fungal genera, suggesting a possible mediation. Our findings may be useful for optimizing the practice of FMT and also in terms of donor microbiota preservation. This information may help to improve the reproducibility and reliability of FMT studies.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) share metabolic and inflammatory mechanisms, potentially mediated by the gut microbiota, yet the neurobiological impact of comorbid AD+T2DM microbiota from elderly donors remains unexplored. Fecal microbiota from healthy, AD, T2DM, and AD+T2DM postmenopausal female donors (aged 56–89 years) was transplanted into antibiotic‐treated male mice. Behavioral testing, blood profiling, hippocampal neurotrophic gene expression, and 16S rRNA sequencing with taxonomic, functional, and metabolic analyses were performed. Human AD+T2DM microbiota displayed the greatest dysbiosis, characterized by enrichment of pro‐inflammatory taxa, depletion of butyrate‐producing genera, and loss of neuroprotective metabolic pathways. FMT induced robust engraftment, with AD+T2DM recipients diverging most from controls (PERMANOVA R2 = 0.209, p = 0.001) and healthy recipients (PERMANOVA R2 = 0.111, p = 0.002). Donor age contributed significantly to recipient microbiota variation (R2 = 0.028, p = 0.006), suggesting transmission of aging‐associated microbial signatures. Hippocampal neurotrophic gene expression was most suppressed in AD+T2DM recipients (adjusted p value < 0.05) and negatively correlated with disease‐ and aging‐associated taxa and microbial functions (|r| > 0.4, FDR p < 0.05). AD recipients showed reduced olfactory discrimination and increased daytime locomotor activity. Metabolic network analysis revealed depletion of flavonoid, isoflavonoid, and lignan biosynthesis pathways in disease recipients. These findings suggest that microbiota from elderly donors with comorbid AD+T2DM may induce gut–brain axis alterations, linking aging, metabolic dysfunction, and neurodegeneration through convergent taxonomic, functional, and neurotrophic changes. We underscore the potential role of age‐associated gut microbial signatures in modulating neurobiological outcomes. Fecal microbiota transplantation from elderly donors with Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, or both conditions into antibiotic‐treated mice revealed that comorbid microbiota produce the most severe dysbiosis and strongest suppression of hippocampal neurotrophic gene expression. Disease‐derived microbiota were enriched in pro‐inflammatory taxa and depleted in butyrate producers, with specific genera negatively correlated with Ngf, Igf1, and Creb1 expression. These findings demonstrate that aged, diseased human microbiota drive gut–brain axis dysfunction through convergent taxonomic and functional alterations.

Diabetes is a continuously growing global concern affecting >10% of adults, which may be mitigated by modifiable lifestyle factors. Consumption of nuts and their inclusion in dietary patterns has been associated with a range of beneficial health outcomes. Diabetes guidelines recommend dietary patterns that incorporate nuts; however, specific recommendations related to nuts have been limited. This review considers the epidemiological and clinical evidence to date for the role of nut consumption as a dietary strategy for the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and related complications. Findings suggest nut consumption may have a potential role in the prevention and management of T2D, with mechanistic studies assessing nuts and individual nut-related nutritional constituents supporting this possibility. However, limited definitive evidence is available to date, and future studies are needed to elucidate better the impact of nuts on the prevention and management of T2D.