The brain pathobiome in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases

Over recent years, a growing body of evidence points to a potential role of microbes in the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other neurological disorders. Diverse pathogens have been reported in AD brains, ranging from bacteria to fungi to viruses, and recent findings have emerged that the microbial pathogens, the immune response and the neuroinflammation may trigger or exacerbate neurodegeneration leading to dementia. These data have led to the emergence of the concept of the brain pathobiome which acknowledges that the microbial communities within the host, and their interactions, may contribute to the development and progression of AD and other neurodegenerative conditions that have also been associated with infection.

This research topic aims to explore the microbial involvement in AD pathology and other neurodegenerative diseases. We welcome studies using omics approaches to characterize the microbiome in brain and non-brain samples, investigating the interaction between the microbiota and the host’s immune system, addressing the question of the gateways for entry of microbes to the brain, and microbial detection through microscopy or neuroimaging. In addition, studies focusing on how immune-boosting strategies like vaccination could contribute to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders are also welcomed.

Diverse types of manuscripts are welcomed such as original research articles, review articles, minireview, and opinion articles, focusing on, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Microbiome profiling in brain and non-brain samples relevant with AD and other neurological disorders
- Impact of the dynamic nature of the pathobiome on the neurodegenerative diseases
- Methodological improvements in sampling protocols, molecular, statistical and bioinformatic analysis

Topic Editor Dr. Lavinia Alberi is the founder and CEO of VitalizeDx. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, microbiome, pathobiome, diagnosis

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.