In groundbreaking research, experts can now identify people who are at a greater risk of developing Parkinson's disease by identifying their gut bacteria.
The report, published in the new Nature Medicine study, explains that the findings can help researchers to develop tests that can reveal the person's risk nd even offer early support to the individual.
“In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the links between Parkinson’s disease – a brain disorder – and gut health. Here we have strengthened that evidence and shown that microbes in the gut can reveal signs of Parkinson’s and may be an early warning signal of Parkinson’s risk years before symptom onset," said Professor Anthony Schapira (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology), lead investigator of the study.
How was the study conducted?
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Experts used an innovative new method to analyse clinical and fecal data from study participants, which included 271 people with Parkinson’s disease, 43 carriers of the GBA1 variant (a gene variant that can increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease by up to 30-fold) with no clinical symptoms, and 150 healthy control participants (as a comparison group).
“For the first time we identify bacteria in the gut of people with Parkinson’s that can also be found in those with a genetic risk for the disease, but before they develop symptoms. Importantly, these same changes can be found in a small proportion of the general population that may put them at increased risk for Parkinson’s," Professor Schapira added.
Researchers believe that through the findings, doctors can suggest ways for people who are at higher risk to reduce their risk through dietary adjustments.
What is Parkinson's disease?
As per the Mayo Clinic, Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder of the nervous system that worsens over time. Although Parkinson's disease can't be cured, medicines may help symptoms improve.
Foor more information, consult a health expert.