Increasing spatial working memory in mice with Akkermansia muciniphila

Recent research has shown the gut microbiome's impact on memory, yet limitations hinder the identification of specific microbes linked to cognitive function. We measured spatial working memory in individual mice before and after fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to develop a targeted analysis that identifies memory-associated strains while minimizing host genetic effects. Transplantation of human fecal into C57BL/6 mice yielded varied outcomes: some mice showed significant improvements while others had negligible changes, indicating that these changes are due to differences in FMT colonization. Metagenomic analysis, stratified by memory performance, revealed a positive correlation between the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila and improved memory. Moreover, administering two A. muciniphila strains, GMB 0476 and GMB 2066, to wild-type mice elevated spatial working memory via BDNF activation. Our findings indicate that specific gut microbes, particularly A. muciniphila, may modulate memory and represent potential targets for therapeutic intervention in cognitive enhancement.