Insights into the Gut-Brain Axis and Aging: A Computational Approach to Microbiome Interactions and Brain Function

The study of the gut microbiome and its connection to neurodegenerative diseases has emerged as a central research focus in recent years. The Gut–Brain Axis, mediated by bidirectional communication pathways (and further influenced by inflammatory markers) provides a key framework for understanding how brain function is altered in pathological conditions and how the microbiota organizes its complex ecological communities. This work investigates these mechanisms through a multimodal approach, analyzing data from volunteers including MRI scans, blood inflammatory markers and gut microbiomes and psychological evaluations. The large and heterogeneous datasets are examined using both conventional statistical techniques and advanced computational tools, particularly network analysis, to uncover hidden correlations and systemic patterns. The results reveal significant associations between gut microbial composition, inflammatory markers and neurocognitive measures, suggesting that network-based approaches can provide novel insights into the role of the microbiome in neurodegenerative disease progression.