Parkinson’s disease is a serious brain disorder that affects how people move. It causes symptoms like shaking, muscle stiffness, and problems with balance and coordination. Around 8 million people across the world live with this condition. Although it’s been studied for centuries, the root cause of Parkinson’s has remained largely unknown—until now.
Recent research has revealed a possible clue hidden in an unexpected place: the gut. Scientists have found that a certain type of bacteria living in our digestive system might play a key role in the development of Parkinson’s disease.
Our bodies naturally host trillions of bacteria, many of which help us stay healthy. They help digest food, support the immune system, and even influence our mood. But not all bacteria are helpful—some can lead to health problems. This appears to be the case with a group of bacteria called Desulfovibrio.
In 2021, researchers led by Professor Per Saris from the University of Helsinki found that people with Parkinson’s disease had higher levels of Desulfovibrio bacteria in their gut.
The more of these bacteria they had, the worse their Parkinson’s symptoms tended to be. This same pattern was confirmed by scientists in China, suggesting a strong link between these bacteria and the disease.
This discovery is important because it shifts the focus from genes to the environment. While about 10% of Parkinson’s cases are thought to be inherited, the vast majority are believed to be caused by environmental factors—things like exposure to toxins, pollutants, and possibly harmful bacteria.
According to Professor Saris, Desulfovibrio bacteria may be one of those environmental triggers.
To better understand this connection, the research team studied tiny worms called Caenorhabditis elegans, which are commonly used in science to model human diseases.
In Parkinson’s disease, one of the key features is the buildup of clumps of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. These clumps damage nerve cells and cause the disease’s symptoms.
When the researchers introduced Desulfovibrio bacteria from Parkinson’s patients into the worms, the worms developed large clumps of the harmful alpha-synuclein protein.
Interestingly, when the same bacteria from healthy people were used, the clumps were much smaller or didn’t form as aggressively. This suggests that certain strains of Desulfovibrio bacteria might actually trigger the disease by encouraging these damaging protein clumps to form.
This groundbreaking discovery could change the way Parkinson’s is treated. If scientists can find a way to remove or reduce these specific bacteria from the gut, it might be possible to stop or slow down the disease. Clearing these bacteria could potentially stop the harmful protein clumps from forming in the brain.
Although more research is needed, this study offers real hope. Instead of focusing only on treating symptoms, scientists may now have a way to prevent or reduce Parkinson’s by improving gut health. It’s a powerful reminder of how closely our gut and brain are connected.
This study also supports the growing idea that maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut—known as the gut microbiome—is important not just for digestion, but for brain health too.
In the future, treatments for Parkinson’s might include antibiotics, probiotics, or special diets designed to reduce harmful bacteria like Desulfovibrio. This could lead to better, more targeted treatments and maybe even a way to prevent the disease altogether.
For those interested in Parkinson’s, other studies suggest that nutrients like Vitamin E may help prevent the disease, and Vitamin D might support those already diagnosed. Scientists are also exploring new drugs and finding possible links between Parkinson’s and infections like COVID-19.
This important study was published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. It brings new hope and direction to the fight against one of the world’s most challenging brain diseases.
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.
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