Link established between gut bacteria and Parkinson’s disease

Potentially groundbreaking new research has identified a firm link between bacterial conditions in the intestine and the development of Parkinson's disease.

A team from the California Institute of Technology has found that changes in the composition of gut bacterial populations, or possibly the bacteria themselves, make an active contribution to the deterioration of motor skills that characterise Parkinson's.

It has previously been established that the gut's nervous system is directly connected to the central nervous system through the vagus nerve, with gastrointestinal problems preceding motor symptoms in cases of Parkinson's by many years.

In this study, the researchers examined mice displaying symptoms of Parkinson's, finding that those with a healthy population of gut bacteria performed better on tests of motor skills than animals without gut bacteria.

This could be an important discovery, because it means that future Parkinson's therapies could target the gut instead of the brain – a much simpler and safer approach.

Sarkis Mazmanian, professor of microbiology and Heritage Medical Research Institute Investigator at Caltech, said: "This new concept may lead to safer therapies with fewer side effects compared to current treatments."

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