Gut Health Discovery Could Help Future Parkinson's Diagnoses

Researchers testing samplesAbout 153,000 people in the UK are currently living with Parkinson’s, a neurodegenerative condition that mostly affects the dopamine-producing neurons found in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra.It can lead to physical changes like tremors, muscle stiffness, and trouble with walking and balance. The condition can also create “non-motor,” or non-movement-related, changes like “depression, anxiety, apathy, hallucinations, constipation, orthostatic hypotension, sleep disorders, loss of sense of smell, and a variety of cognitive impairments,” Parkinson’s Foundation writes.A new study published in Gut Microbes has linked mouth and gut bacteria to the “non-motor” cognitive decline linked to Parkinson’s.What do gut bacteria have to do with Parkinson’s?The researchers collected 228 samples of stool and saliva from people with Parkinson’s who had either mild cognitive decline or dementia (mild cognitive decline is often seen as a precursor to dementia). They also got samples from people with neither Parkinson’s nor cognitive decline or dementia.The researchers found that people with Parkinson’s who had more harmful bacteria in their gut were more likely to be experiencing cognitive decline.The scientists think this comes from the mouth in a process called ‘oral-gut translocation’, which happens when bacteria that do not belong in the gut end up there anyway. These bacteria, the research suggests, release molecules known as ‘virulence factors’; these “toxins” can damage gut tissue, promote inflammation, and possibly affect the brain.“Disruptions in the gut-brain axis could trigger inflammation and immune responses that contribute to neuronal damage,” Dr Saeed Shoaie, who helped to write the paper, said. “We don’t yet know if the bacteria are causing the cognitive decline or if changes in the body due to Parkinson’s allow these bacteria to grow. But our findings suggest they may play an active role in worsening symptoms,” first author Dr Frederick Clasen added.The researchers hope these bacterial changes could help to diagnose Parkinson’s earlierThe scientists hope that this link will help to diagnose Parkinson’s earlier. The condition is often misdiagnosed, though early diagnosis can be very beneficial.“These toxins could be used as biological markers to identify patients at higher risk of dementia in Parkinson’s,” Dr Clasen said. “In the future, they might also be targets for new treatments that protect the brain by changing the gut environment.”Dr Shoaie added, “Our findings suggest that promoting a healthy microbiome through consistent oral care, a balanced diet, and potentially targeted probiotic interventions could support improved disease management in Parkinson’s.”Related...This Longevity-Boosting Diet May Disrupt The Depression-Dementia LinkThe Nutrient Linked To Lower Cancer, Heart Disease, And Dementia RiskThis Eating Change May Be A Sign Of Dementia Among Under-65s

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