Longitudinal Analysis of the Microbiome and Metabolome in the 5xfAD Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Sage J. B. Dunham, Katelyn McNair, Eric D. Adams, Julio Avelar‐Barragan, Stefânia Forner, Mark Mapstone, Katrine Whiteson
Abstract
Microorganisms residing within the gastrointestinal tract are implicated in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) through the mediation of inflammation, exchange of small-molecules across the blood-brain barrier, and stimulation of the vagus nerve. Unfortunately, most animal models for AD are housed under conditions that do not reflect real-world human microbial exposure and do not sufficiently account for (or meaningfully consider) variations in the microbiome. An improved understanding of AD model animal microbiomes will increase model efficacy and the translatability of research findings into humans. Here, we present the characterization of the microbiome and metabolome of the 5xfAD mouse model, which is one of the most common animal models for familial AD. The manuscript highlights the importance of considering the microbiome in study design and aims to lay the groundwork for future studies involving mouse models for AD.