Restoring gut-brain communication reverses cognitive decline and improves memory in aging mice

med.stanford.edu — March 11, 2026 at 07:01 PM UTC

Restoring gut-brain communication reversed cognitive decline and improved memory in aging mice. Changes in gut bacteria with age trigger inflammation, hindering vagus nerve signals to the hippocampus, crucial for memory. Stimulating this nerve restored memory function in older mice. The study suggests peripheral interventions, like modulating the gut microbiome, could be a strategy to enhance brain function and combat age-related memory loss.

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