New study shows urolithin A can improve treatment of Alzheimer’s

Promising postbiotic: Research shows urolithin A can alleviate memory problems and other consequences of dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease, characterized by symptoms such as forgetfulness, difficulty finding words, and confusion, remains one of the most challenging neurodegenerative disorders to treat. With a growing global burden, innovative and proactive strategies are urgently needed, and recent research from the University of Copenhagen has shed light on a natural compound urolithin A, which may offer new hope for cognitive health and Alzheimer’s treatment.

My take on this: Urolithin A is a postbiotic produced by gut bacteria when they metabolize ellagitannins and ellagic acid, polyphenols found in foods such as pomegranates, strawberries and walnuts, a natural process that underscores the importance of a healthy gut microbiome for the production of beneficial compounds. While putative treatments for Alzheimer’s often grab headlines, it is worth nothing that research indicates that only a minority of individuals possess the right gut bacteria to efficiently produce urolithin A; in fact, a recent study revealed that after consuming pomegranate juice, a rich source of urolithin A precursors, only 40% of participants converted a significant amount of these polyphenols into detectable levels of urolithin A.

The scarcity of urolithin A production in most people highlights the potential benefits of longevity supplements such as Mitopure; these supplements can provide a direct source of urolithin A, bypassing the need for specific gut bacteria. Such interventions are particularly relevant given the promising findings from the University of Copenhagen.

Previously, the team looked into the advantages of treating Alzheimer’s disease in a mouse model called 3xTg-AD with urolithin A for two months. However, recognizing that Alzheimer’s patients typically require extended care, they extended their study to five months using various mouse models to investigate the long-term effects of the treatment.

The research team found that long-term urolithin A treatment in mice significantly improved their learning, memory and olfactory function. The treatment also reduced amyloid beta and tau pathologies.

The researchers’ findings suggest that urolithin A is as effective as NAD in promoting mitophagy, positioning it as a potential therapeutic agent for Alzheimer’s disease.

Discover the latest breakthroughs in Alzheimer's research and what lies ahead in this promising study, with insights from Vilhelm Bohr, Affiliate Professor at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Copenhagen right HERE .

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