Exposome contribution to the brain metabolome: importance of body brain connection
Preprint
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Mounting evidence support exposome influences on brain function and health, complementing genome influences. Understanding the molecular imprint of exposome on brain metabolism and the biochemical communication between the body and brain can impact our fundamental understanding and treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases. METHODS: Leveraging two complementary metabolomics platforms, we classified 1400 features in 514 brains from the ROSMAP collection. We evaluated the origin of these compounds using literature and databases. We correlated those metabolites with cognitive function using linear models. RESULTS: We identified over 230 non-endogenous compounds in the brain, including 103 drugs and metabolites, 120 dietary and microbial products and possibly 15 compounds from environmental exposures. Over 20 dietary and gut microbial compounds showed associations with cognition. DISCUSSION: Comprehensive profiling of chemicals in the brain and the link to cognitive function provides foundational work to connect body and brain in the study of AD and related dementias.Keywords
This publication has 85 references indexed in Scilit:
- Low-Dose Lithium for Mild Cognitive ImpairmentJAMA Neurology, 2026
- Structured vs Self-Guided Multidomain Lifestyle Interventions for Global Cognitive FunctionJAMA, 2025
- Gut microbiome compositional and functional features associate with Alzheimer's disease pathologyAlzheimer's & Dementia, 2025
- Comparative brain metabolomics reveals shared and distinct metabolic alterations in Alzheimer's disease and progressive supranuclear palsyAlzheimer's & Dementia, 2024
- Ketogenic dietary lifestyle intervention effects on sleep, cognition, and behavior in mild cognitive impairment: Study designAlzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, 2022
- The landscape of metabolic brain alterations in Alzheimer's diseaseAlzheimer's & Dementia, 2022
- Decline of ergothioneine in frailty and cognition impairmentFEBS Letters, 2022
- Ergothioneine in the brainFEBS Letters, 2022
- Food and Microbiota Metabolites Associate with Cognitive Decline in Older Subjects: A 12‐Year Prospective StudyMolecular Nutrition & Food Research, 2021
- Perinatal exposure to di‐(2‐ethylhexyl)‐phthalate leads to cognitive dysfunction and phospho‐tau level increase in aged ratsEnvironmental Toxicology, 2012