Open AccessThe gut microbiome–derived metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide modulates neuroinflammation and cognitive function with aging
Author(s) -
Vienna E. Brunt,
Thomas J. LaRocca,
Amy E Bazzoni,
Zachary J Sapinsley,
Jill MiyamotoDitmon,
Rachel A. GiosciaRyan,
Andrew P. Neilson,
Christopher D. Link,
Douglas R. Seals
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
geroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.883
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 2509-2715
pISSN - 2509-2723
DOI - 10.1007/s11357-020-00257-2
Subject(s) - neuroinflammation , trimethylamine n oxide , astrocyte , cognitive decline , endocrinology , chemistry , medicine , trimethylamine , inflammation , biochemistry , central nervous system , dementia , disease
Aging is associated with declines in cognitive performance, which are mediated in part by neuroinflammation, characterized by astrocyte activation and higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines; however, the upstream drivers are unknown. We investigated the potential role of the gut microbiome-derived metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in modulating neuroinflammation and cognitive function with aging. Study 1: In middle-aged and older humans (65 ± 7 years), plasma TMAO levels were inversely related to performance on NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery tests of memory and fluid cognition (both r 2 = 0.07, p < 0.05). Study 2: In mice, TMAO concentrations in plasma and the brain increased in parallel with aging (r 2 = 0.60), suggesting TMAO crosses the blood-brain barrier. The greater TMAO concentrations in old mice (27 months) were associated with higher brain pro-inflammatory cytokines and markers of astrocyte activation vs. young adult mice (6 months). Study 3: To determine if TMAO independently induces an "aging-like" decline in cognitive function, young mice (6 months) were supplemented with TMAO in chow for 6 months. Compared with controls, TMAO-supplemented mice performed worse on the novel object recognition test, indicating impaired memory and learning, and had increased neuroinflammation and markers of astrocyte activation. Study 4: Human astrocytes cultured with TMAO vs. control media exhibited changes in cellular morphology and protein markers consistent with astrocyte activation, indicating TMAO directly acts on these cells. Our results provide translational insight into a novel pathway that modulates neuroinflammation and cognitive function with aging, and suggest that TMAO might be a promising target for prevention of neuroinflammation and cognitive decline with aging.