Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, May 7: An Indian-origin researcher in the US has developed a groundbreaking probiotic cocktail that may help prevent dementia a condition affecting memory, thinking, and daily activities in over 57 million people worldwide.

Hariom Yadav, a scientist at the University of South Florida, has created a unique blend of probiotics that can influence the gut microbiome, the vast and complex community of microorganisms living in the human digestive system. The cocktail has shown promise in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, according to findings published in the journal Scientific Reports.

“In healthy individuals, the microbiome lives in balance,” said Yadav. “But when harmful bacteria start dominating, it can trigger a chain reaction in the body, including inflammation and disruption of brain functions, ultimately contributing to dementia.”

In laboratory tests, mice that drank the probiotic-infused water over 16 weeks performed significantly better in memory tests. During a water maze experiment designed to test spatial learning, the treated mice found a hidden platform faster using visual cues.

The study also revealed that the cocktail lowered brain inflammation and reduced the levels of sticky plaque-causing proteins typically associated with Alzheimer’s. It also helped maintain the integrity of the blood-brain barrier a crucial defense system that protects the brain from harmful microbes.

“Most people use single-strain probiotics,” Yadav noted. “But we found that when used together as a consortium, they are more effective in reshaping the gut microbiome — turning it from harmful to helpful.”

The team is currently in talks with several companies to commercialise the probiotic mixture and make it available to the public as a preventive therapy.