Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and a growing disease burden that has seen pharmacological interventions primarily fail. Instead, it has been suggested that preventative measures such as a healthy diet may be the best way in preventing AD. Prebiotics are one such potential measure and are fermented into metabolites by the gut microbiota and acting as gut-brain axis components, beneficially impact the brain. However, the impact of prebiotics in AD prevention is unknown. Here we show that the prebiotic inulin increased multiple gut-brain axis components such as scyllo-inositol and short chain fatty acids in the gut, periphery, and in the case of scyllo-inositol, the brain. We found in E3FAD and E4FAD mice fed either a prebiotic or control diet for 4-months, that the consumption of the prebiotic inulin can beneficially alter the gut microbiota, modulate metabolic function, and dramatically increase scyllo-inositol in the brain. This suggests that the consumption of prebiotics can beneficially impact the brain by enhancing metabolism, helping to decrease AD risk factors.