Parkinson’s disease may be caused by gut bacteria

Since British physician James Parkinson first described the disease as a neurological condition two centuries ago, scientists have searched for an explanation for why some people develop a severe loss of fine motor control as they age. Recently, however, in an article published in the Scientific Journal Frontiers in cellular microbiology and infectionScientists report that a microbe can play a key role in the development of Parkinson’s disease.

By secreting compounds that activate proteins within brain cells, microbes—found in wet, marshy environments—can lead to the formation of toxic masses. The discoveries were made by scientists from University of Helsinki and the Eastern University, in Finland. Studies describe bacteria Desulfovibrio. Scientists genetically modified the worms in order to adjust them to the physical changes in the brain that coincide with Parkinson’s disease. Then they exposed them to the bacteria.

What the scientists said

Per Sarris, senior author of the research: “Our findings made it possible to track the carriers of these harmful bacteria Desulfovibrio. Thus, they may be targeted for measures to remove these strains from the gut, which may relieve and delay symptoms in Parkinson’s patients.”

Although there is a specific genetic pattern to the disease, scientists say the cause of the toxic clumps in the human brain remains a mystery. Genetics only explains about 10% to 15% of all Parkinson’s cases. This raises scientists’ suspicions about the influence of the environment. Certain types of intestinal bacteria may be associated with symptoms of the disease. Sarris concludes, “Disease is mainly caused by environmental factors, that is, environmental exposure to bacterial strains Desulfovibrio that cause Parkinson’s disease.

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