Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide.
While the cause of the disease has remained unknown for centuries, recent research by Professor Per Saris’s group at the University of Helsinki has found that certain bacteria of the Desulfovibrio genus are linked to the disease.
Desulfovibrio bacteria are a genus of bacteria that are commonly found in the human gut.
While some Desulfovibrio strains are considered to be beneficial for gut health, other strains have been linked to certain health conditions.
Recent research has found that specific strains of Desulfovibrio bacteria are associated with Parkinson’s disease and can cause aggregation of the α-synuclein protein on a statistically significant level in a model organism for the disease.
In 2021, the researchers published results showing that the higher number of Desulfovibrio bacteria correlates with the severity of Parkinson’s disease symptoms.
Chinese researchers replicated the study and found the same results, indicating the significance of these findings.
The research suggests that Parkinson’s disease is primarily caused by environmental factors, specifically environmental exposure to Desulfovibrio bacterial strains.
Only a small percentage of Parkinson’s disease is caused by individual genes.
The goal of the new research was to examine whether the Desulfovibrio strains found in patients can result in progress toward Parkinson’s disease.
The group’s most recent study, published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, found that these strains cause aggregation of the α-synuclein protein on a statistically significant level in a model organism for Parkinson’s disease.
The study also found that Desulfovibrio strains isolated from healthy individuals do not cause α-synuclein aggregation to the same degree.
The aggregates caused by the Desulfovibrio strains in patients with Parkinson’s disease were also larger.
The findings of the research suggest that it is possible to screen for carriers of these harmful Desulfovibrio bacteria and target them with measures to remove these strains from the gut.
This could potentially alleviate and slow the symptoms of patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Once the Desulfovibrio bacteria are eliminated from the gut, α-synuclein aggregates are no longer formed in intestinal cells, from which they travel towards the brain via the vagus nerve like prion proteins.
This could lead to new treatment options for Parkinson’s disease and a better understanding of the causes of this debilitating condition.
How to prevent Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a complex condition with no known cure. However, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk of developing Parkinson’s disease or to slow its progression if you have already been diagnosed.
Here are some tips to prevent Parkinson’s disease:
Exercise regularly: Regular exercise, particularly aerobic exercise, has been shown to reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Eat a healthy diet: A healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Protect your head: Traumatic brain injuries have been linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, so be sure to wear a helmet when riding a bike or playing contact sports.
Avoid pesticides: Exposure to pesticides has been linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. If you work with pesticides or are exposed to them regularly, take precautions to protect yourself.
Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption: Both smoking and excessive alcohol consumption have been linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Stay mentally and socially active: Staying mentally and socially active may help reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Get enough sleep: Poor sleep quality and duration have been linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease.
While there is no known cure for Parkinson’s disease, making these lifestyle changes may help reduce the risk of developing the condition or slow its progression if you have already been diagnosed.
Additionally, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns you have about Parkinson’s disease and to receive regular check-ups to monitor your health.
If you care about Parkinson’s disease, please read studies about Vitamin E that may help prevent Parkinson’s disease, and Vitamin D could benefit people with Parkinson’s disease.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about new ways to treat Parkinson’s disease, and results showing COVID-19 may be linked to Parkinson’s disease.
The study was published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology.
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