Scientists are testing whether personalized dietary supplements designed specifically for each person’s gut bacteria could help slow Alzheimer’s disease. The study uses artificial intelligence to analyze gut bacteria from Alzheimer’s patients and healthy people, then creates custom supplements with ingredients like fiber and plant compounds. In a pilot test, 60 Alzheimer’s patients will take either the personalized supplement or a standard one for three months to see if it improves their gut health and brain-related markers. This research explores the growing connection between our gut bacteria and brain health, suggesting that what we eat might influence how our gut bacteria affect Alzheimer’s progression.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether custom-made dietary supplements based on a person’s unique gut bacteria can improve gut health and reduce harmful substances linked to Alzheimer’s disease
  • Who participated: The study will involve 120 people total: 60 with Alzheimer’s disease and 60 healthy people (for the first phase). In the second phase, 60 Alzheimer’s patients will be randomly assigned to receive either a personalized supplement or a standard supplement
  • Key finding: This is a study protocol describing a planned research project, not yet completed. Researchers will use artificial intelligence to identify which gut bacteria and dietary ingredients are most important for Alzheimer’s patients, then test whether personalized supplements can reduce harmful gut bacteria products and increase beneficial ones
  • What it means for you: If successful, this approach could lead to personalized supplements tailored to your individual gut bacteria that might help slow Alzheimer’s progression. However, this is still in early testing stages, and results won’t be available for several months. Talk to your doctor before starting any new supplements

The Research Details

This is a two-phase research project. In Phase 1, researchers will collect stool samples and dietary information from 60 Alzheimer’s patients and 60 healthy people. They’ll use artificial intelligence and computer network analysis to identify which gut bacteria and dietary patterns differ between the two groups and which ones might be important for Alzheimer’s disease.

In Phase 2, 60 Alzheimer’s patients will be randomly divided into two groups. One group will receive a personalized supplement designed based on the Phase 1 findings, while the other group will receive a standard supplement. Neither the patients nor some of the researchers will know which supplement each person is taking (called “blinding”). After three months, researchers will collect new stool and blood samples to see if the personalized supplement changed the patients’ gut bacteria and related substances.

This research approach is important because it combines three powerful tools: artificial intelligence to find patterns in complex data, network analysis to understand how different factors connect to each other, and personalized medicine to create treatments tailored to individual patients. Rather than giving everyone the same supplement, this method recognizes that each person’s gut bacteria is unique and may need different dietary interventions. This personalized approach may be more effective than one-size-fits-all treatments.

This is a well-designed study protocol published in a reputable nutrition journal. The use of randomization (randomly assigning people to groups) and blinding (keeping people unaware of which supplement they’re receiving) are gold-standard research practices that reduce bias. The study includes both Alzheimer’s patients and healthy controls for comparison, which strengthens the findings. However, this is a pilot study with a relatively small sample size (60 patients in the intervention phase), so results will need to be confirmed in larger studies before widespread use. The three-month intervention period is relatively short, so long-term effects remain unknown.

What the Results Show

This is a study protocol, meaning the research hasn’t been completed yet, so final results are not available. However, the researchers have outlined what they plan to measure: changes in harmful gut bacteria products called lipopolysaccharides (LPS), beneficial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, and overall changes in gut bacteria composition. They will also measure various substances in the blood that reflect overall metabolic health.

The study will compare these measurements before and after the three-month supplement period. If the personalized supplement is effective, researchers expect to see a decrease in harmful bacterial products and an increase in beneficial ones in the Alzheimer’s group compared to the standard supplement group.

The artificial intelligence analysis will help identify which specific gut bacteria changes and which dietary components in the supplement are most important for these improvements. This information could guide future supplement development and personalized nutrition strategies for Alzheimer’s patients.

Beyond the main gut bacteria measurements, researchers will also track lifestyle factors like diet quality and physical activity levels, which can influence gut health. They’ll analyze blood metabolite profiles (the chemical products of metabolism) to understand how the supplement affects the body’s broader chemistry. The study will also explore connections between changes in gut bacteria, diet, and clinical features of Alzheimer’s disease, though this is exploratory and results may not be definitive.

This research builds on growing scientific evidence that gut bacteria influence brain health through the “gut-brain axis”—a communication system between digestive bacteria and the brain. Previous studies have shown that Alzheimer’s patients have different gut bacteria patterns than healthy people, and that certain bacterial products (like butyrate) may be protective while others (like LPS) may be harmful. This study advances the field by using artificial intelligence to personalize interventions rather than using generic supplements, and by testing whether these personalized approaches actually work in real patients.

This is a pilot study, which means it’s designed to test whether the approach is feasible before conducting larger research. The sample size of 60 Alzheimer’s patients in the intervention phase is relatively small, so results may not apply to all Alzheimer’s patients. The three-month study period is short—we don’t know if benefits would continue, increase, or decrease over longer periods. The study doesn’t measure whether the supplement actually slows cognitive decline or improves thinking and memory, only whether it changes gut bacteria markers. Additionally, the study hasn’t been completed yet, so we don’t have actual results to evaluate.

The Bottom Line

This research is still in the planning and early testing phase. Based on current evidence, there is no strong recommendation to use personalized microbiota-based supplements for Alzheimer’s yet. However, the general principle of eating a diet rich in fiber, plant compounds, and healthy fats to support gut health is well-supported by research. If you or a loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, discuss any new supplements with your doctor before starting them, as they can interact with medications. Once this study is completed and results are published, there may be more specific recommendations available.

This research is most relevant to people with Alzheimer’s disease or those at risk for it, as well as their caregivers and healthcare providers. Researchers studying gut health, brain disease, and personalized nutrition should also pay attention to these findings. People with other neurological conditions may eventually benefit from similar approaches, but this study specifically focuses on Alzheimer’s. Healthy people without neurological concerns don’t need to make changes based on this protocol alone, though general gut health recommendations still apply.

This study is expected to take several months to complete the intervention phase (three months of supplement use) plus additional time for data analysis and publication. Realistic expectations for seeing results from published findings would be 12-18 months from now. If the pilot study shows promise, larger confirmatory studies would take additional years. Any actual clinical use of personalized supplements based on this research would likely be several years away, pending successful completion and publication of results.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily fiber intake (target: 25-30 grams), servings of colorful vegetables and fruits (target: 5+ servings), and any digestive symptoms (bloating, regularity, discomfort on a 1-10 scale). This creates a baseline for gut health that could be compared if personalized supplements become available.
  • Start increasing dietary fiber gradually through whole grains, beans, vegetables, and fruits. Add more polyphenol-rich foods like berries, green tea, and olive oil. These are the types of ingredients researchers are likely to include in personalized supplements, so adopting these habits now supports gut health while waiting for research results.
  • Establish a baseline of current diet quality and digestive health using the app’s tracking features. Once personalized supplements become available (if this research is successful), users could compare their tracked metrics before and after starting the supplement to see if they notice personal improvements in digestion, energy, or other markers.

This article describes a research protocol for a study that has not yet been completed. The findings discussed are planned outcomes, not actual results. This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease. If you have Alzheimer’s disease or are concerned about cognitive decline, consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements or making significant dietary changes. Supplements can interact with medications and may not be appropriate for everyone. Always discuss new health interventions with your doctor or a registered dietitian.