A collaborative research project led by Julia Sheffler, Ph.D., and Ravinder Nagpal, Ph.D., examining the role of the microbiome in sepsis and Alzheimer’s disease pathophysiology has received a grant from the FSU Council on Research & Creativity, recognizing its interdisciplinary approach and potential impact on neurodegenerative disease research.

Building on this work, the team found that obesity-related differences in the gut microbiome influence how older adults respond to diet, with measurable effects on metabolism and cognitive function. In a 10-week dietary intervention involving adults ages 55–85, participants with obesity showed distinct gut microbial profiles and lower memory and executive function. Fat loss in this group was associated with improvements in episodic memory and cognitive flexibility. The findings point to the gut-muscle-brain axis as a modifiable pathway for supporting cognitive health in aging populations.