Faecal microbiota composition and impulsivity in a cohort of older adults with metabolic syndrome.

Impulsivity is an important determinant of human behaviour, affecting self-control, reasonable thinking and food choices. Recent evidence suggests a role for gut microbiota in human behaviour, but the relationship between gut microbiota and impulsive behaviours remains largely unexplored. To address this knowledge gap, the present study aims to explore the associations between faecal microbiota composition with trait and behavioural impulsivity, in a subcohort of the PREDIMED-Plus trial, including older adults presenting overweight/obesity. Fecal samples (n = 231) were profiled for their microbiota composition using 16 S rRNA amplicon sequencing and impulsivity was determined through four different assessments. Adherence to different dietary patterns was estimated through questionnaires. Beta diversity analyses showed a significant association with the Conner's Performance Test (CPT) in multivariate-adjusted models, and, in total, 13 bacterial genera associated with CPT. Erysipelotrichaceae UCG 003 showed the highest association with CPT and known butyrate producers such as Butyricicoccus spp., Roseburia spp., and Eubacterium hallii were among the identified bacteria. The bacteria Lachnospiraceae UCG 001, Anaerostipes and Blautia were associated with CPT and also the adherence to healthy and unhealthy plant-based diets. In addition, functional analysis showed a significant negative association between the CPT and the glucuronate and galacturonate metabolic pathways. From the other impulsivity assessments, two more associations were identified, for the genus Phascolarctobacterium with the Stroop test, and the genus Lachnospiraceae GAG 54 with the positive urgency subscore of UPPS-P Impulsive Behaviour Scale. Overall, our findings suggest potential links between the faecal microbiota composition and function with behavioural impulsive inattention as determined by the CPT.
Competing Interests: Declarations Competing interests JSS reported receiving research support from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia, Departament de Salut Pública de la Generalitat de Catalunya, the European Commission, the California Walnut Commission, Patrimonio Comunal Olivarero, La Morella Nuts, and Borges S.A; receiving consulting fees or travel expenses from Instituto Danone Spain and Instituto Danone International, and Abbott Laboratories; receiving nonfinancial support from Hojiblanca, Patrimonio Comunal Olivarero, and Almond Board of California; serving on the board of and receiving grant support through his institution from the International Nut and Dried Foundation and the Eroski Foundation; and personal fees from Instituto Danone. The rest of the authors declare no competing interests.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)