Composition for preventing or treating a decline in brain function, or for maintaining or improving brain function.

Abstract

To provide a method for evaluating dementia, and a composition for preventing or treating a decline in brain function, or for maintaining or improving brain function. [Solution] The gut microbiota of healthy individuals, individuals with mild cognitive impairment, and individuals with Alzheimer's disease were compared. As a result, microorganisms belonging to the genus Faecalibacterium were selected as gut microbiota associated with cognitive function. Furthermore, it was revealed that Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, which possesses specific DNA, has an improving effect on cognitive decline such as learning and memory impairment.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating mild cognitive impairment, (1) A step to quantify microorganisms in the subject's stool, (2) A step of comparing the value obtained by quantitative analysis in step (1) with a corresponding value obtained by quantitative analysis of the microorganisms in the feces of a healthy person, and (3) The process includes the step of determining that the subject is in a state of mild cognitive impairment if, as a result of the comparison in step (2), the quantitative value in the subject's stool is lower than the corresponding value, A method wherein the microorganism is at least one microorganism selected from the group consisting of microorganisms belonging to the genus Faecalibacterium, microorganisms belonging to the genus Anaerostipes, microorganisms belonging to the genus CAG-41, microorganisms belonging to the genus Valnesiera, and microorganisms belonging to the genus Ruminococcus.

2. A method for evaluating mild cognitive impairment, (1) A step to quantify microorganisms in the subject's stool, (2) A step of comparing the value obtained by quantitative analysis in step (1) with a corresponding value obtained by quantitative analysis of the microorganisms in the feces of a healthy person, and (3) A method comprising the step of determining that the subject is in a state of mild cognitive impairment if, as a result of the comparison in step (2), the quantitative value in the subject's stool is higher than the corresponding value, and the microorganism is at least one microorganism selected from the group consisting of microorganisms belonging to the genus Prevotella.

3. A method for evaluating Alzheimer's disease, (1) A step to quantify microorganisms in the subject's stool, (2) A step of comparing the value obtained by quantitative analysis in step (1) with a corresponding value obtained by quantitative analysis of the microorganisms in the feces of a healthy person, and (3) A method comprising the step of determining that the subject has Alzheimer's disease if, as a result of the comparison in step (2), the quantitative value in the subject's stool is lower than the corresponding value, and the microorganism is at least one microorganism selected from the group consisting of microorganisms belonging to the genus Blautia, microorganisms belonging to the genus Fusicatenibacter, microorganisms belonging to the genus Ruminococcus, and microorganisms belonging to the genus Eubacterium.

4. A method for evaluating Alzheimer's disease, (1) A step to quantify microorganisms in the subject's stool, (2) A step of comparing the value obtained by quantitative analysis in step (1) with a corresponding value obtained by quantitative analysis of the microorganisms in the feces of a healthy person, and (3) A method comprising the step of determining that the subject has Alzheimer's disease if, as a result of the comparison in step (2), the quantitative value in the subject's stool is higher than the corresponding value, wherein the microorganism is at least one microorganism selected from the group consisting of microorganisms belonging to the genus Parabacteroides.

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