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Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD
Published

Artificial intelligence applications in microbiota-gut-brain axis research: Implications for Alzheimer's disease

Authors

Simone Lista, Enzo Emanuele, Miroslava Cuperlovic-Culf, Adam Mahdi, Vikas Singh, Susana López-Ortiz, Kayvan Khoramipour, María Merino-País, Piercarlo Minoretti, Giusy Ylenia Cisale, Amanda Heslegrave, Camillo Imbimbo, Giulia Maria Sancesario, Barbara B Bendlin, Bruno P Imbimbo, Henrik Zetterberg, Alejandro Santos-Lozano

Abstract

J Alzheimers Dis. 2026 Oct 29:13872877261500124. doi: 10.1177/13872877261500124. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Alterations in the gut microbiota (GM) are increasingly implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis through the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA), influencing neuroinflammation, amyloid-β deposition, and tau aggregation. The inherent complexity of microbiota data necessitates artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In this narrative review, we examined AI applications in AD-related GM research, including metataxonomic and metagenomic approaches. AI methods facilitate microbial signature identification and enterotype characterization associated with AD progression, enable multi-omics integration clarifying molecular pathways linking GM dysbiosis to neurodegeneration, support predictive modeling for early AD detection, and inform personalized MGBA-targeted interventions. Employed techniques include classical ML (e.g., random forests) for taxonomic classification, deep learning (e.g., neural networks) for complex pattern recognition, and explainable AI for identifying key bacterial taxa and metabolic functions. Significant challenges persist regarding methodological standardization, larger longitudinal cohorts, and ethical considerations in clinical applications. Future priorities include developing interpretable models, integrating longitudinal multi-omics data to establish causality, and validating AI-derived insights for precision AD prevention and treatment. AI uniquely enables high-dimensional, non-linear analyses that advance understanding of microbiome-brain interactions, though clinical translation requires rigorous validation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

PMID:42957639 | DOI:10.1177/13872877261500124

UK DRI Authors

Dr Amanda Heslegrave

Principal Research Fellow

Co-leading the UK DRI Biomarker Factory platform based at UK DRI at UCL

Dr Amanda Heslegrave

Prof Henrik Zetterberg

Group Leader

Pioneering the development of fluid biomarkers for dementia

Prof Henrik Zetterberg