BDNF and Mental deterioration: plantarum DMS 20174, Asparagus officinalis extract, or their combination could alleviate HFD-induced neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in rats by manipulating gut microbiota dysbiosis. This was accomplished by evaluating the memory and spatial learning of rats, colon microbial count, serum lipid profile, striatal and hippocampal acetylcholinesterase, neurotransmitters, inflammatory, oxidative stress, and energy markers, in addition to the hippocampal levels of the neurotrophin, BDNF, and the biomarkers of neurodegeneration, α-synuclein, phosphorylated tau and beta-amyloid 1–42.