Unraveling the significance of fecal MicroRNA profile in Alzheimer's disease

Kavisha Katuwawala; Prashant Bharadwaj; Ian Martins; B. G. D. N. K. De Silva; Vincent Ho; Asiri Dissanayake; Ralph N. Martins; W. M. A. D. Binosha Fernando

doi:10.1007/s12035-025-05626-6

Unraveling the significance of fecal MicroRNA profile in Alzheimer's disease

Kavisha Katuwawala, Prashant Bharadwaj, Ian Martins, B. G. D. N. K. De Silva, Vincent Ho, Asiri Dissanayake, Ralph N. Martins, W. M. A. D. Binosha Fernando

Macquarie Medical School

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterised by progressive cognitive decline, affects millions globally. With no current cure, treatment focuses on symptom management and slowing disease progression. Early identification is therefore crucial. Fecal microRNA (miRNA) analysis is emerging as a promising non-invasive diagnostic tool. Evidence suggests that miRNAs present in fecal samples may regulate gene expression linked to AD pathology, impacting cellular functions and disease progression. Dietary factors critically influence gut microbiota composition and diversity, affecting brain health via the gut brain axis. Macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats modulate miRNA expression and gut microbiota, influencing AD risk. High-fat diets can increase inflammation and contribute to AD. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how diet-modulated fecal miRNAs and gut microbiota interplay may serve as novel, non-invasive indicators for early detection and intervention strategies in AD.

Original language	English
Article number	319
Pages (from-to)	1-16
Number of pages	16
Journal	Molecular Neurobiology
Volume	63
Issue number	1
Early online date	22 Dec 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-025-05626-6
Publication status	Published - Jan 2026

Bibliographical note

Keywords

Alzheimer's disease (AD)
Gut microbiota
Gut-brain axis
MicroRNAs (miRNAs)
Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
Gut–brain axis

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10.1007/s12035-025-05626-6Licence: CC BY

Publisher version (open access)Final published version, 1.01 MBLicence: CC BY

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title = "Unraveling the significance of fecal MicroRNA profile in Alzheimer's disease",

abstract = "Alzheimer's disease (AD), a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterised by progressive cognitive decline, affects millions globally. With no current cure, treatment focuses on symptom management and slowing disease progression. Early identification is therefore crucial. Fecal microRNA (miRNA) analysis is emerging as a promising non-invasive diagnostic tool. Evidence suggests that miRNAs present in fecal samples may regulate gene expression linked to AD pathology, impacting cellular functions and disease progression. Dietary factors critically influence gut microbiota composition and diversity, affecting brain health via the gut brain axis. Macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats modulate miRNA expression and gut microbiota, influencing AD risk. High-fat diets can increase inflammation and contribute to AD. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how diet-modulated fecal miRNAs and gut microbiota interplay may serve as novel, non-invasive indicators for early detection and intervention strategies in AD.",

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doi = "10.1007/s12035-025-05626-6",

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AU - Katuwawala, Kavisha

AU - Bharadwaj, Prashant

AU - Martins, Ian

AU - De Silva, B. G. D. N. K.

AU - Ho, Vincent

AU - Dissanayake, Asiri

AU - Martins, Ralph N.

AU - Fernando, W. M. A. D. Binosha

N1 - Crown Copyright 2025. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

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N2 - Alzheimer's disease (AD), a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterised by progressive cognitive decline, affects millions globally. With no current cure, treatment focuses on symptom management and slowing disease progression. Early identification is therefore crucial. Fecal microRNA (miRNA) analysis is emerging as a promising non-invasive diagnostic tool. Evidence suggests that miRNAs present in fecal samples may regulate gene expression linked to AD pathology, impacting cellular functions and disease progression. Dietary factors critically influence gut microbiota composition and diversity, affecting brain health via the gut brain axis. Macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats modulate miRNA expression and gut microbiota, influencing AD risk. High-fat diets can increase inflammation and contribute to AD. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how diet-modulated fecal miRNAs and gut microbiota interplay may serve as novel, non-invasive indicators for early detection and intervention strategies in AD.

AB - Alzheimer's disease (AD), a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterised by progressive cognitive decline, affects millions globally. With no current cure, treatment focuses on symptom management and slowing disease progression. Early identification is therefore crucial. Fecal microRNA (miRNA) analysis is emerging as a promising non-invasive diagnostic tool. Evidence suggests that miRNAs present in fecal samples may regulate gene expression linked to AD pathology, impacting cellular functions and disease progression. Dietary factors critically influence gut microbiota composition and diversity, affecting brain health via the gut brain axis. Macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats modulate miRNA expression and gut microbiota, influencing AD risk. High-fat diets can increase inflammation and contribute to AD. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how diet-modulated fecal miRNAs and gut microbiota interplay may serve as novel, non-invasive indicators for early detection and intervention strategies in AD.

KW - Alzheimer's disease (AD)

KW - Gut microbiota

KW - Gut-brain axis

KW - MicroRNAs (miRNAs)

KW - Alzheimer’s disease (AD)

KW - Gut–brain axis

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DO - 10.1007/s12035-025-05626-6

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SN - 0893-7648

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JO - Molecular Neurobiology

JF - Molecular Neurobiology

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ER -

Unraveling the significance of fecal MicroRNA profile in Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

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