Gut microorganisms influence many aspects of health, from immunity to sleep quality. A study published on 3/27 showed that improving the diversity of the gut flora could reduce the symptoms of people with Parkinson's disease using an unusual technique: fecal transplantation.
Published in the scientific journal scalpel, The study by Belgian researchers showed that fecal transplantation was able to reduce the condition's characteristic movement disturbances (tremors) in the long term – results were observed for more than 12 months after the procedure.
How was the study conducted?
A double-blind clinical study was performed to compare patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease. They were divided into two groups: the first, consisting of 22 people, received stool from healthy donors, while the control group received their own stool.
“Our results are really encouraging, all patients who received stool from healthy donors saw significant improvement,” said renowned researcher and study leader Arnot Brueggemann., From VIB-UGent-UZ Gent, in a press release.
All volunteers received stool through a tube that was inserted through the nose and reached the small intestine to settle the mixture. Improvement in symptoms took some time to appear: it was only observed at consultations after six months, with growth after a year, suggesting a lasting effect of the effect of the change in the intestinal microbiota.
Researchers believe that improved symptoms may be related to changes in bowel movement and their relationship to hormone production and regulation of brain function, but more research is needed to determine the explanation.
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Parkinson's disease is a neurological disease characterized by the progressive degeneration of the nerve cells responsible for dopamine production
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This degenerative process of nerve cells can affect different parts of the brain and, as a result, generate symptoms such as involuntary tremors, loss of motor coordination, and muscle stiffness.
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Other symptoms of the disease are sluggishness, muscle spasms, involuntary movements, and instability of posture.
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In advanced cases, the disease also inhibits the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that regulates memory, learning and sleep.
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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), although the disease is known to affect older people, about 10% to 15% of patients diagnosed are under 50 years of age.
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It is not known for sure what causes Parkinson's disease, but when it occurs in young people, it is often genetically linked. In this case, symptoms progress more slowly, and there is greater preservation of cognition and life expectancy.
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Diagnosis is medical and requires a series of tests, such as: CT scan of the brain and MRI. For patients who do not have symptoms, a CT scan is recommended to check the amount of dopamine in the brain.
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There is no cure for Parkinson's disease, but treatment can slow the progression of symptoms and improve quality of life. In addition to medicine, it is necessary to conduct monitoring by a multidisciplinary team. In some cases, brain surgery is possible.
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Bias with fecal transplantation
This is the first double-blind study to understand the relationship between gut health and Parkinson's disease through fecal transplantation. Because there was resistance to the procedure, the researchers stressed that it was difficult to find funding, but patient donations allowed the research to take place.
“Our next step is to obtain funding to try to identify which bacteria have a positive effect. This may lead to the development of ‘bacterial pills’ or other targeted therapies that could replace transplants in the future,” says Professor Rosmarin Vandenbroucke, a member of the team.
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