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Study design

The report combined a clinical cohort affected by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion with a bilateral-carotid-stenosis mouse model. Researchers examined gut microbes and tryptophan metabolites, then tested fecal microbiota transfer and tryptophan or indole-3-lactic acid (ILA) supplementation in mice.

Findings

In the clinical cohort, lower ILA and microbial changes were associated with vascular cognitive impairment. In mice, microbiota transfer and tryptophan supplementation improved cognitive measures alongside restoration of glymphatic markers. ILA alone restored aquaporin-4 polarization and improved cognition in the animal model; experiments implicated astrocyte AHR signaling.

Limits

The mechanistic intervention findings are preclinical and do not establish a treatment for people. The human cohorts were exploratory, and the authors call for validation in larger independent groups. The study does not show that dietary tryptophan or a supplement prevents cognitive impairment.

This sourced news summary and translation were prepared with AI assistance. Source links, the news date and research limitations are disclosed; this is not a claim of independent medical expert review. News production method.

Sources

Research news is not medical advice or a recommendation to use a substance. Read findings in the context of the study design, participants and limitations. Editorial standards.

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