Memory Issues and Gut Bacteria

During my last CFS episode I had a SPECT scan done. The results matched that reported on PubMed for chronic lyme and for chronic fatigue syndrome. I was having severe memory issues, especially short term and recent events. The radiologist read the SPECT as indicative of Alzheimer’s Disease. The areas of the brain impacted were the same area seen with Alzheimer. With recovery, memory issues reduced every month. I suspect it could easily be 2 years before I hit the 99.9999% of my prior level. I suspect that my SPECT will be near normal if done again. Many people will not notice the memory issues remaining, but I frequently (daily) notice minor memory failures for example inability to recall a word or tie a name to a face.

Since the recovery of memory was a result of actively altering gut bacteria, it suggests that old age dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease may have a very significant cause being gut bacteria.

Looking at pub med, there are just two studies that have looked at AD and the microbiota, both published in 2013:

Infectious particles, stress, and induced prion amyloids: A unifying perspective. “unrecognized microbial agents in the environmental metagenome that may cause latent neurodegenerative disease”
Blue-green algae or cyanobacteria in the intestinal micro-flora may produce neurotoxins such as Beta-N-Methylamino-L-Alanine (BMAA) which may be related to development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson-Dementia-Complex in humans and Equine Motor Neuron Disease in horses. ” disease or malnutrition may alter the proper balance between pathogens and the normal bacterial micro-flora, enabling overgrowth of CB with production of neurotoxins such as BMAA, with subsequent development of neurodegenerative diseases, in both horses and men.”

Age-Related Memory Issues

There have been several studies on how gut bacteria changes with age:

Role of the gut microbiota in age-related chronic inflammation. (2012) “A growing body of literature implicates age-related perturbations in the gut microbial ecology as contributing to a global inflammatory state in the elderly.”
Enteric pathogens through life stages. (2012) – Full Text Free “Recent gut microbial surveys have indicated dramatic shifts in gut microbial population structure from infants to young adults to the elders.”
Aging of the human metaorganism: the microbial counterpart. (2012) – Full Text Free (and an excellent article that details results from specific species of probiotics!)
“The total diversity of a healthy adult gut ecosystem is generally reported to be around 1,000–1,200 species.. of which 75–82% is estimated to remain uncultured.” This means that we likely have no idea of what 75% of the bacteria produce or interacts..

The question of testing often arises, the above article summarizes the current state of testing:

The prosequencing is what is needed. We have more unknowns than knowns…

I am hoping that there will be studies of Prescript Assist and Mutaflor on neurodegenerative diseases — I suspect that the results will be very interesting.

ABE 3:33 am on July 7, 2013

Hi. I’ve been taking the Prescript Assist as you recommended for two weeks – absolutely no effect at all (I have had CFS for 24 years).

Now what do I do? Take a break – how long – and try again? Or save the pills for… ? In the future?

I was really hoping for SOME effect, but nothing. No changes in anything, not even anything in the digestive area.

Thanks.
- lassesen 4:05 am on July 7, 2013
  
  After two weeks, definitely take a break. I believe that the best benefit comes from pulsing (7-10 days and then up to 3 weeks off) each item.
  
  Each of our gut bacteria is different and is shifted in a different pattern with CFS (with many items similar). There is no magic protocol — just systematic applying a list of things to find what works for you in correcting the microbiota.
  
  Haritaki (Indian spice available in most east indian shops) would be a good thing to try next. We make 00 capsules from the ground spice and slowly work up to 6-8/day over 10 days (stop increasing dosage when die off happens).
  
  When I started Mutaflor, I noticed nothing apparently changing — apart from getting nasty headaches. Just as I was ready to give it up on it, I realized that there was a significant change of one symptom. Just one symptom. If the issue is a shift of gut bacteria, then there may be a different gut flora that is causing each symptom.
  
  Another spice cause neurological symptoms in me to start reversing after 7 days.
  - ABE 4:26 am on July 7, 2013
    
    I’ll wait three weeks, take it again, and then give up.
    
    This is very unusual for me, after 24 years, trying anything new. What caught my attention was the weight connection, too – I struggle to keep the weight off.
    
    So I thought – two for one – and I would try it. It was disconcerting to have no effect.
    
    I don’t try things often – it takes too much of my little functional time, and I’m trying to finish a novel. I figure when something real comes along that works for a lot of people, I’ll hear about it – and try.
    
    Thanks for replying – but I won’t be trying anything else new – the results are too iffy. And it gets expensive. I’ve tried my fair share over the years – nothing has worked.
    
    The stuff at cfidsselfhelp.org – managing your own energy – works for me so I can function. It also doesn’t cost anything to take a nap. I can write this way.
    
    Still hoping for ‘cure’ or ‘significant relief’ for all of us, but not holding my breath.
lassesen 2:34 pm on July 7, 2013

I very much understand your position. The Indian Herbs/Spices are usually about $20 / lb ordered in bulk off Amazon (Organic). If you are lucky, a local indian market may sell in smaller quantity for only a few dollars for several months worth. In general, these should be taken close to be time because of the high risk of herx following.

Concerning weight, one of my symptoms of onset was a sudden unexplained gain of weight (15 lbs in 2 weeks). With remission, that weight disappeared and “heritage” weight actually started to decline. So you are likely right in your belief that the weight and the bacterias are connected.

The technical problem is determining which species-strains it is, and what is the right thing to alter it.

CFS Remission

Striving for true remission of CFS, chronic Lyme, FM, IBS etc

Memory Issues and Gut Bacteria

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