[
International Worm Meeting,
2019]
Microbiota is known for its various effects on the human body with implications in chronic intestinal diseases, asthma and allergies. Emerging evidence is beginning to link the microbiome and dysbiosis to neurodegenerative disorders, including for Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Huntington's disease (HD). However, little is known about the beneficial effects of bacteria in age-dependent neurodegeneration. We partnered with Lallemand Health Solutions to develop assays using C. elegans to screen probiotic strains for their effects on various health and aging phenotypes. We identified a bacterial strain able to reduce motility deficits and neurodegeneration phenotypes in our C. elegans models of ALS, AD and HD. We used a combination of genetics and gene expression profiling to identify genes and pathways that are influenced by microbiota and are responsible for neuroprotection in our worm models. Our results implicate a novel mechanism responsible for this neuroprotection, involving mitochondrial b-oxidation. Moreover, we identified lipid dysequilibrium in our models of neurodegeneration. In summary, we provide new insight on impaired lipid metabolism in neurodegenerative disorders and how dietary intervention can restore lipid homeostasis and energy balance through mitochondrial b-oxidation, leading to neuroprotective effects. An update of our findings will be presented.