Nikita Anand
Class of 2025San Jose, California
About
Hello, my name is Nikita Anand, and I completed my Polygence project over the summer of 2024. My project is a review paper exploring the connection between our gut and brain and how modulating the gut microbiome through dietary interventions serves as a promising treatment for Alzheimer's disease (among other neuro-inflammatory diseases). With the support of my mentor, Bijal Luhar, I was able to publish this paper in the Research Archive of Rising Scholars in the fall of 2024!Projects
- "Exploring the Effects of the Gut Microbiome on Alzheimer’s Disease" with mentor Bijal (Oct. 15, 2024)
Project Portfolio
Exploring the Effects of the Gut Microbiome on Alzheimer’s Disease
Started June 10, 2024
Abstract or project description
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is exacerbated by neuroinflammation linked to gut microbiome imbalances. Dysbiosis has been shown to increase neuroinflammation and facilitate the infiltration of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) into the brain, worsening Alzheimer's pathology. Key approaches discussed include ketogenic and Mediterranean diets, as well as multi-strain probiotics like Bifidobacterium breve A1, which may reduce oxidative stress and inflammation while enhancing short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels. Given the growing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and the limited value of current treatments, understanding the role of the gut-brain axis offers a promising avenue for novel therapeutic interventions. By targeting gut microbiome imbalances, it may be possible to mitigate neuroinflammation and slow disease progression, providing new hope for patients and their families. Keywords: Translational Medical Sciences; Disease Treatment and Therapies; Alzheimer's Disease; Neuroinflammation, Probiotics