Gut bacteria changes could be ‘warning sign for worsening Parkinson's symptoms'
Changes in specific bacteria in the mouth and gut of patients with Parkinson's disease could potentially be an early warning sign that symptoms of the condition are getting worse, a study suggests.
With the help of artificial intelligence (AI), scientists have linked these shifts to cognitive decline – problems with memory and learning – in people with the disease.
They suggest the toxins could one day be used as 'markers' for medics to pinpoint the Parkinson's patients at a higher risk of dementia, as well as being used to help develop targeted treatments for the disease.
Parkinson's disease is a progressive condition that affects the brain, with symptoms including involuntary shaking, known as tremors, as well as psychological problems such as depression, loss of balance, trouble sleeping and memory issues.
According to the Alzheimer's Society, around a third of people with Parkinson's eventually develop dementia.
Dr Saeed Shoaie, group leader of the quantitative systems biology (QTS) lab at King's College London, said: 'The human gut and oral bacterial communities are increasingly linked to neurodegenerative diseases.
'Disruptions in the gut-brain axis could trigger inflammation and immune responses that contribute to neuronal damage.
'A common gum disease bacterium like porphyromonas gingivalis has been discovered as a potential driver of Alzheimer's.'
For the study, led by experts at King's College London and published in the journal Gut Microbes, scientists analysed 228 spit and stool samples.
The samples came from 41 patients with Parkinson's and mild cognitive impairment, which causes problems with thinking and memory, 47 patients with Parkinson's and dementia and 26 healthy patients.
The team found that the gut of people with mild cognitive impairment contained more harmful bacteria, many of which are likely to have come from the mouth.
This bacteria releases toxins that can damage gut tissue, promote inflammation and potentially affect the brain, according to researchers.
For a more in-depth analysis, the team used AI to pinpoint the bacterial species and functions not usually picked up by traditional testing, allowing them to link toxins specifically to cognitive decline.
Dr Shoaie added: 'The emerging evidence underscores the potential importance of maintaining oral and gut health in mitigating or slowing neurodegenerative processes.
'As people with Parkinson's become increasingly reliant on carers, routine practices such as oral hygiene and nutritional intake may be neglected.
'Our findings suggest that promoting a healthy microbiome through consistent oral care, a balanced diet and potentially targeted probiotic interventions could support improved disease management in Parkinson's.'
Dr Frederick Clasen, research associate at the QTS lab, said: 'We don't yet know if the bacteria are causing the cognitive decline or if changes in the body due to Parkinson's allow these bacteria to grow.
'But our findings suggest they may play an active role in worsening symptoms.'
Dr Clasen suggests these markers could one day be used to develop targeted treatments.
'These toxins could be used as biological markers to identify patients at higher risk of dementia in Parkinson's,' he said.
'In the future, they might also be targets for new treatments that protect the brain by changing the gut environment.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
26 minutes ago
- The Sun
Half of new parents believed pregnancy myths that turned out to be FALSE – which ones do you think are right?
FOOD cravings and bump size are among the most common myths expectant parents believe. But half of parents believed myths during pregnancy that turned out to be false, according to new research. 1 By just looking at the bump and analysing pregnancy cravings, the challenge is to decide if it's a boy or a girl. According to these commonly believed myths, carrying the baby high in the womb means it's a girl, while lower means a boy. And salty or sour cravings point towards a boy whereas those craving sweet things are carrying a girl. It comes after research, commissioned by Vitabiotics Pregnacare, found 47 per cent of new parents originally believed well-known myths during pregnancy that they later realised weren't all true. A poll of 1,000 parents of children aged 0-10 found 11 per cent of those believed having sour cravings during the first trimester indicated you were expecting a boy. While the same percentage (11 per cent) thought carrying the baby high up in the womb meant you would be welcoming a little girl to the world. And 12 per cent believed that experiencing an influx of spots on your skin also indicated a female. But 79 per cent feel at least a few of the superstitions about pregnancy that they'd heard about and believed in ended up coming true. As a result, 51 per cent of those who had heard of a superstition used this to try and predict their baby's gender. With 44 per cent of these trying the 'swinging ring test' - where you tie a ring to a string and swing it over the belly to see which way it moves. Carly Sandland, doula and founder of The Doula Club, which matches pregnant women with doulas to provide support to families during pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum, said: 'As a doula, I've heard every pregnancy myth going. 'Carrying high? Must be a boy. Bad skin? Definitely a girl. Craving savoury food? That's obviously a boy. 'It's amazing how confidently people will make these calls - even from complete strangers in the supermarket. 'What this research shows is how common these myths still are - and how many people believe them, even just a little. 'But why not enjoy the guessing games? Have a laugh at the wild ones, and let people guess if they must. But don't let any of it carry more weight than it deserves. 'Myths aren't facts. And they definitely aren't a substitute for understanding your own body and the right professional advice. 'If something feels off, ask questions. If it doesn't sit right, trust yourself.' Parents-to-be who have heard about pregnancy myths also believed severe morning sickness would suggest a female baby, while mild sickness pointed towards a boy (14 per cent). While 10 per cent thought jumping up and down vigorously after sex would stop conception happening. It also emerged 30 per cent of those who tried to use a superstition to guess the baby's gender had a go at the 'key test', where the expectant parent is observed picking up a key and if they opt to grab it by the narrow end, it means a girl is due. And while 53 per cent of new parents asked friends and family for advice about their baby's arrival, 42 per cent turned to Google – and 23 per cent searched social media. But 13 per cent of parents who had heard about myths or superstitions claim they influenced their expectations of pregnancy 'a lot', according to the figures. A spokesperson for Vitabiotics Pregnacare added: 'Of course, not all of these tales are rooted in fact - but they can still be surprisingly persuasive. 'While these stories are usually fairly harmless, it's always best to check anything that may be concerning or unusual with a midwife or medical professional.' Top 20 myths expectant parents believed 1. Severe morning sickness means it's a girl/ mild or no morning sickness means it's a boy 2. Eating spicy food can induce labour 3. Having clear skin means it's a boy/ having bad skin means it's a girl 4. In your third trimester, if you're carrying high it's a girl and low for a boy 5. Craving sweets means it's a girl/ salty or sour foods means it's a boy 6. A round belly means it's a girl/a pointed belly means it's a boy 7. If you gain weight in your face, it's a girl/ if you gain weight in your hips and thighs, it's a boy 8. Avoiding spicy foods will prevent colic in the baby 9. A baby's heart rate above 140 bpm indicates it's a girl/ below indicates it's a boy 10. You shouldn't breast feed if you're ill 11. Jumping up and down immediately after intercourse will prevent conception 12. After intercourse, a hot bath or a heating pad on the stomach prevents conception 13. If the dark belly line extends above the belly button it means it's a boy/if it stays below the belly button it means it's a girl 14. Using the missionary position helps to conceive a girl 15. Eating yams increases fertility 16. You should only eat plain food while breastfeeding 17. If you're moodier, it's a girl/ if you're more relaxed, it's a boy 18. Dreaming about having a boy means you're having a girl, and vice versa 19. If when you swing a ring over your belly it moves in a circle it's a girl/ if moves back and forth it's a boy 20. Expectant parents will deliver babies similarly to the way their mothers did
Daily Mail
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Bad news for hairy hipsters as scientists warn men with beards carry more germs than dogs
Hairy hipsters have received some shocking news as scientists have revealed men with beards carry more germs than dogs. Hollywood heartthrobs including Jason Momoa and Zayn Malik are known for their luxuriant facial hair, but a new report may make clean-shaven men more attractive. An expert revealed beards provide a unique environment for bacteria to thrive, and in extreme cases hirsute guys carry more germs than the average toilet. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Dr Primrose Freestone, an expert in clinical microbiology at the University of Leicester, in England, explained the findings in an article for The Conversation. She said: 'Beards create a warm, often moist environment where food debris and oils can accumulate – ideal conditions for microbial growth. 'These microbes thrive not just because of the warm, moist conditions beards provide, but also because of constant exposure to new contaminants and microbes, especially from hands that frequently touch surfaces and the face.' Studies dating back 50 years show that facial hair can retain bacteria and bacterial toxins even after it has been washed. This led to the longstanding idea that beards harbor bacteria and could pose an infection risk to others. One study, published in 2018, looked at whether it would be hygienic to evaluate dogs and humans in the same MRI scanner. Analysis revealed most beards contained significantly more microbes than dog fur – including a greater number of harmful bacteria. The study, published in the Nature journal European Radiology, said: 'Our study shows a significantly higher bacterial load in specimens taken from men's beards compared with dogs' fur. 'All 18 men showed high microbial counts, whereas only 23 out of 30 dogs had high microbial counts and seven dogs moderate microbial counts.' Beards can also sometimes spread skin infections such as impetigo – a contagious rash often caused by Staphylococcus aureus, which is commonly found in facial hair. Sometimes, in rare cases, parasites like pubic lice, which usually live in the groin area, can also show up in beards. However, other studies have challenged the idea that beards increase infection risk. One investigation concluded there was no significant difference in bacteria colonization between bearded and clean-shaven healthcare workers. But Dr Freestone said: 'Neglected beards can foster irritation, inflammation and infection. 'The skin beneath a beard – rich in blood vessels, nerve endings and immune cells – is highly sensitive to microbial and environmental stressors. 'When sebum, dead skin, food debris and pollutants accumulate, they can irritate the skin and provide fuel for fungal and bacterial growth.' Bearded men should wash their beard and face every day, experts say, to help remove dirt, oils, allergens and dead skin. Other tips include moisturizing to prevent dryness, using a beard comb to remove debris, and trimming to control loose hairs. 'With daily hygiene and proper grooming, beards pose little risk and may even be healthier than we once thought,' Dr Freestone concluded.
BBC News
36 minutes ago
- BBC News
Birmingham hospital's lack of radiologists criticised after death
A lack of radiologists on duty was a key factor in the death of a man who went into hospital suffering chest pains, a coroner Villa fan Mark Villers died three days after he sought help while suffering from an unidentified tear in his aorta – the artery carrying blood from his heart – at Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield, on 21 May Louise Hunt said, in a prevention of future deaths report, his condition went undiagnosed as abnormalities that showed up on a CT scan were not recognised, but should have prompted tests that would have discovered the BBC has approached University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust for a response. Since Mr Villers died, a fundraising page set up for his family has raised more than £33, Stephen Plant said Mr Villers had been a selfless, kind, caring and strong person who had been "striving to make a difference in this world".He said the loyal Villa fan had been a "passionate lover of life". 'Large number of CT scans' The coroner's report described how Mr Villers went to the hospital on 18 May 2024 with a severe chest pain, initially assessed by medics as alcohol-induced gastritis, a digestive CT scan was reported as showing no abnormalities but a review later revealed it had shown problems that, if they had been spotted, further tests would have been carried out and his life could have been 20 May, Mr Villers returned to the hospital and it was thought he had infected gallstones. He stayed overnight and no concerns were noted but an inquest heard he was found collapsed the next morning and could not be resuscitated.A post-mortem examination confirmed the tear in the aorta caused Mr Villers' death. Ms Hunt said the trust investigated and found there were "insufficient radiologists to report the large number of CT scans undertaken over the weekend period" at the time Mr Villers went to said it was "one of the root causes of the very subtle abnormality indicating aortic dissection being missed".Her report said the inquest heard, while the situation had improved at the hospital, the number of radiologists on duty was still not in accordance with Royal College of Radiology (RCR) BBC has contacted the RCR for a comment on what the required staffing levels are. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
