Scientists find new cause of Parkinson’s disease

00-Scientists find new cause of Parkinson — Credit: Unsplash+

Parkinson’s disease is a challenging condition that affects millions of people around the world. It is known for causing movement problems, tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with balance.

Despite being discovered centuries ago, the exact cause of Parkinson’s has remained unclear. However, recent research has uncovered a surprising link between a type of bacteria found in the gut and the development of the disease.

A group of scientists led by Professor Per Saris at the University of Helsinki studied bacteria called Desulfovibrio. These bacteria naturally live in the human gut.

While some strains of Desulfovibrio are harmless or even helpful for digestion, others can have harmful effects on health. The researchers discovered that certain strains of Desulfovibrio are connected to Parkinson’s disease.

Their studies revealed that these bacteria can trigger the clumping of a protein called α-synuclein. This protein is believed to play a key role in the progression of Parkinson’s disease.

In their experiments, the scientists found that people with Parkinson’s had larger amounts of harmful Desulfovibrio bacteria in their guts. They also found that these bacteria caused more severe α-synuclein clumping in lab models compared to bacteria from healthy individuals.

The link between Desulfovibrio and Parkinson’s was further supported by studies conducted in China, which confirmed the same results.

These findings suggest that environmental factors, like exposure to harmful bacterial strains, may be more important in causing Parkinson’s than genetic factors. In fact, only a small percentage of Parkinson’s cases are linked to genes.

The scientists believe that removing these harmful bacteria from the gut could help reduce the progression of the disease. When Desulfovibrio bacteria are eliminated, α-synuclein clumps stop forming in intestinal cells.

This is significant because these clumps can travel from the gut to the brain through the vagus nerve, a process thought to worsen Parkinson’s symptoms. By targeting these bacteria, it might be possible to develop treatments that slow down or even prevent the disease.

While there is no cure for Parkinson’s yet, this research opens the door to new ways of managing the condition. Screening for Desulfovibrio in people’s guts and removing harmful strains could offer hope for those living with the disease.

Steps to Lower Your Risk of Parkinson’s

Although Parkinson’s cannot be completely prevented, certain lifestyle changes may reduce your risk or slow its progression if you have already been diagnosed. Here are some tips:

Exercise regularly: Aerobic exercises like walking, jogging, or cycling can help protect brain health.
Eat a healthy diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. These support overall health and may reduce disease risk.
Protect your head: Wear helmets during activities like biking or contact sports to prevent brain injuries, which are linked to Parkinson’s.
Avoid pesticides: Long-term exposure to pesticides is a known risk factor. If you work with them, take proper precautions.
Don’t smoke or drink excessively: Both smoking and heavy drinking have been associated with a higher risk of Parkinson’s.
Stay socially and mentally active: Engaging in activities that challenge your brain and keep you connected to others can help maintain brain health.
Get enough sleep: Poor sleep has been linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s. Make sure to get quality rest.

Additionally, research suggests that certain vitamins might be helpful. Vitamin E may play a role in preventing Parkinson’s, while vitamin D could benefit people already living with the disease. Talking to a healthcare provider can help you create a plan to protect your brain health.

This new research on Desulfovibrio bacteria offers valuable insights into the causes of Parkinson’s and could lead to groundbreaking treatments.

While the journey to fully understanding and curing the disease is still ongoing, every discovery brings us closer to improving the lives of millions.

If you care about Parkinson’s disease, please read studies that Vitamin B may slow down cognitive decline, and Mediterranean diet could help lower risk of Parkinson’s.

For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that blueberry supplements may prevent cognitive decline, and results showing Plant-based diets could protect cognitive health from air pollution.