Correlation between the gut microbiota composition and cognitive frailty: a case-control study in community-dwelling older adults.

Background: Although alterations in the gut microbiota have been documented in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or physical frailty, the relationship between gut microbiota changes and cognitive frailty (CF) which is a clinical syndrome characterized by the coexistence of physical frailty and mild cognitive impairment in the absence of any dementia, remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the gut microbial composition associated with CF and to assess the differences between community-dwelling older adults with CF and those without CF using 16S rDNA gene sequencing. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in community-dwelling older adults. Thirty-five older adults with CF and an equal number of older adults without CF were recruited. Fecal samples were examined by 16S rDNA sequencing. Differences in microbial composition at various taxonomic levels between the two groups were identified and evaluated for correlations with cognitive or physical function. Results: The Conclusion: This study provides insight into the role of altered gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of CF among community-dwelling older adults. Further longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes are needed to establish causal relationships.