The Effect of Bacteria Modulation with Probiotic Consumption in Neurodegeneration During Aging: A Narrative Review of the Literature

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The Effect of Bacteria Modulation with Probiotic Consumption in Neurodegeneration During Aging: A Narrative Review of the Literature

by 

Nayeli Valdez Gayosso

 1,

Arianna Omaña Covarrubias

 1,*,

Ana Teresa Nez Castro

 1,

Lydia López Pontigo

 2,

María del Refugio Acuña Gurrola

 2 and

Bertha Maribel Pimentel Pérez

 2

1

Department of Nutrition, School of Medical Science, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, Pachuca 42039, Mexico

2

Department of Gerontology, School of Medical Science, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, Pachuca 42039, Mexico

*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Diseases 2025, 13(10), 317; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases13100317

Submission received: 29 July 2025 / Revised: 13 September 2025 / Accepted: 22 September 2025 / Published: 26 September 2025

(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Nutrition)

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Abstract

Aging is the result of the accumulation of a great variety of molecular and cellular damage over time. During aging, the brain undergoes changes and diseases such as depression, dementia, anxiety, Alzheimer’s, delirium, behavioral disorders and aggression, and prolonged mourning, among others, appear. The gut–brain axis suggests that the gut and the brain have a bidirectional communication, so it is important to maintain proper intestinal health to strengthen the neurological changes of this age group. The intestinal microbiota is a dynamic and highly complex ecosystem of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract. The bidirectional and dynamic communication between the homeostatic systems, such as the endocrine and immune systems, as well as the nervous system, allow us to face problems associated with several diseases. Probiotics are defined as non-pathogenic live microorganisms that provide beneficial effects to the organism and participate in the prevention and treatment of diseases, which is the reason why it is important to promote interventions that keep intestinal microbiota in eubiosis (microbiota balance). The concentration and balance of the intestinal microbiota depend on several conditions, such as diet, antibiotic consumption, and lifestyle, to mentioned a few. However, interventions with probiotics have shown improvements in both cognitive function and processes that promote neurodegeneration. It is such that the research has been directed on designing strategies that improve not only oral bioavailability but also intestinal adhesion and retention, to clarify the frequency and dosage that should be consumed.

Keywords: 

aging; neurodegeneration; intestinal microbiota; probiotics

1. Introduction

Old age begins at the age of 60(I'm 69 and still in middle age, going for 100! Because of that error, there really is no reason to listen to your spouting off!) and is made up of the population that is in the last stage of their life. It is characterized by the presence of physiological changes characteristic of age, in addition to the aggravation of complications, mainly of non-communicable diseases. On the other hand, aging is also defined as a continuous, multifaceted and irreversible process that begins at birth and ends with death, consisting of a series of psycho-social, physical, and physiological changes [1].

It is worth mentioning that the world population is undergoing an aging process never seen before. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that, in 2021, there were 761 million people over 65 years of age and by 2050 there will be 1600 million [1]. This population increase has been associated with a decrease in mortality due to scientific, technological, educational, and social developments, that have contributed to an increase in life expectancy. However, as we add more years to live, health needs to also become more specific. For this reason, promoting the importance of implementing healthy aging has been sought [1,2].

Current evidence indicates that aging is the main risk factor for neurodegeneration, that is understood as the progressive process of neuronal damage that leads to the loss of neuronal function and frequently to neuronal death [2]. Although it can develop for a variety of reasons, many pathologies of the nervous system can cause neurodegeneration, as well as metabolic disorders, infections, autoimmune diseases, and various toxins. In this sense, neurodegenerative diseases usually present in middle or advanced age and are characterized by a cumulative deterioration of different nervous system functions which hasten the death of the affected individuals due to the decrease in the capacity for cell renewal and repair [2,3]. As mentioned above, scientific evidence has described several mechanisms and factors that promote neurodegeneration, the intestinal microbiota being (IM) one of the most studied currently [3].

Since dysbiosis (an imbalance in the composition of the microbiota), has been associated with some central nervous system (CNS) disorders, it suggests a close relationship between intestinal health and brain function [3]. Thus, in the quest to understand the mechanism by which dysbiosis alters brain function, it has been assumed that it is through the gut–brain axis, the bidirectional communication network between the gut and the brain, which mainly includes neuroendocrine, neural, and immune signaling pathways [4].

Based on the above, research has focused on designing interventions that promote the modulation of the IM to contribute to the improvement of the gut–brain axis. Among the proposed interventions is probiotic supplementation, due to their systemic anti-inflammatory effect, in addition to the fact that they produce short-chain fatty acids and tryptophan, substances that can indirectly improve CNS functions [5].

While it is true that the relationship between the brain and gut in the development of neurodegenerative diseases has been becoming more concrete, it is crucial to understand the impact of bidirectional communication between the IM and the brain in maintaining homeostasis, in addition to determining the impact of probiotic consumption on the treatment of behavioral and cognitive functioning problems [3,4].

Due to the above, this paper aims to describe the relationship between aging and neurodegeneration mediated by IM. It also aims to develop current knowledge on the impact of probiotic consumption on IM modulation as preventive and control therapy to neurodegeneration during aging.

The search strategy for this narrative review was designed to encompass a wide range of studies examining the changes that result from aging in the elderly, as well as the effects of probiotic consumption for the prevention or delay of neurodegeneration.