The timing of diagnosis and initial treatment is so important because right now, the average diagnosis occurs when people have lost about 60% to 80% of the dopamine-producing neurons in their brain stems. A new study published May 2, 2023 in the journalNature Communicationsreveals another possible way we might be able to spot Parkinson’s disease early—and even before noticeable symptoms arise.
According to this research,there are noticeable changes in the gut microbiota during the earliest stages of Parkinson’s disease, and this may help doctors diagnose and offer targeted treatment before the disease progresses further.
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5 Things You Should Do Every Day for Your Gut Health, According to a Gastroenterologist
What This Gut Health Study Found
Depending on the individual, someone might begin to develop small problems or changes in their brains, muscles and senses up to 20 years before they actually develop Parkinson’s, an April 2022 study inJournal of Parkinson’s Diseasesuggests. One major predictor of Parkinson’s disease appears to be a sleep disorder calledrapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD). This is related to the atrophy of certain systems within the brain. According to a February 2019 study inAnnals of Neurology, RBD is correlated with digestive issues and shifts in gut bacteria among those with Parkinson’s disease—and their relatives.
So with this in mind, scientists from China and Germany took to the lab to try to analyze the gut bacteria of those with early Parkinson’s disease (meaning motor symptoms of 5 years or less), individuals with RBD as well as their close relatives of RBD patients and “healthy” people (AKA those without any signs of Parkinson’s or sleep disorders).
Using stool samples from 441 Hong Kong residents in one of those four categories, and discovered 84 families and 249 genera of bacteria present. After comparing the diversity of bacteria in those groups, the scientists noticed similar gut health changes among those with RBD and Parkinson’s disease. A portion of the good gut bacteria was depleted, and some potentially harmful gut bacteria was present in higher quantities. Relatives of those diagnosed with RBD showed similar differences from the norm. Comparing all four groups, the make-up of the Parkinson’s disease group’s gut bacteria was most different from the healthy control. The RBD and RBD relative cohorts were closest to the Parkinson’s disease populations' gut bacteria.
Overall, there were 12 potential gut microbiome biomarkers that could help separate those with RBD (and, perhaps Parkinson’s) from the healthy subset. Diving deeper into the actual differences in microbiome composition, the researchers noticed a decrease in bacteria that produceshort-chain fatty acids (SCFA), which have been proven to offer anti-inflammatory benefits and aid in the maintenance of the gut barrier.
So how does this relate to Parkinson’s disease?Animalstudiessuggest that starting in the gut, then moving to the brain, certain changes in fatty acids and proteins can trigger healthy nerve cells to form fibrous clumps that affect tissues and cause them to experience tremors or loss of motor control.
The Bottom Line
A new small study found that specific changes in gut bacteria could be a clue that a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis may be a possibility later in life, and this may occur up to 20 years before any physical symptoms.
The researchers admit that larger and longer-term studies are required, including more that can confirm the link between the gut health shifts (cause) and Parkinson’s (effect). It’s too early to say whether that relationship exists.
Still, the researchers write in their newreport: “Gut dysbiosis are already present at a much earlier stage, preceding the onset of RBD and Parkinson’s disease, which emphasizes the potential role of gut microbiota.”
We already know that good gut health can reduce risk for stress, anxiety anddepressionwhile supportingdigestion, decreasingblood pressureand more. So as we continue to learn more about this emerging area of knowledge, it certainly can’t hurt to stoke your menu with these12 fiber-rich foodsto help with good gut bacteria, and don’t miss these19 gut-healthy dinnersyou can make in 30 minutes or less.
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