Microbiome Depletion in Aged Mice Reverses Aspects of the Aging of the Brain
High‑dose antibiotic depletion of the gut microbiome in aged mice produced widespread molecular and structural brain rejuvenation measured by single‑nucleus RNA sequencing. Observed effects included increased vascular density, improved myelination and neurogenesis, reduced microglial reactivity, and improved hippocampal memory. Treatment lowered several pro‑inflammatory cytokines including the chemokine eotaxin‑1, and separate eotaxin‑1 inhibition reversed multiple aging features, implicating age‑associated microbial inflammation as a driver of brain aging.
Why it mattersAntibiotic microbiome depletion lowered eotaxin-1 and improved hippocampal memory in aged mice.