New study examines gut link to Parkinson’s

RESEARCHERS from Deakin University’s Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN) are investigating how gut bacteria might be different in people with Parkinson’s disease compared to a healthy ageing group.

The first-of-its-kind study in Australia hopes to build enough evidence to link gut health and Parkinson’s disease and then determine an appropriate intervention to help prevent the disease.

The lead author, Deakin PhD candidate Nathan Nuzum, said previous studies showed those with Parkinson’s disease had less butyrate-producing gut bacteria than healthy older adults.

Some studies have observed gut microbiota differences between those with and without Parkinson’s disease, but each had been different in approach and hadn’t built conclusive evidence to point to a concrete pathway.

IPAN trial supervisor Dr Helen Macpherson, said the institute wanted to establish a clear difference in gut bacteria between those with Parkinson’s disease and the rest of the population, irrespective of diet or lifestyle differences.

“None of the previous studies we analysed looked at detailed cognitive behavioural outcomes like thinking and memory skills, and none adequately considered lifestyle differences,” she said.

“This raises questions we hope to start answering with our new trial.”

The IPAN trial will recruit 50 older people with Parkinson’s disease, looking at diet, physical activity and gut bacteria, as well as tracking their brain activation in thinking and memory tests.

The data collected will be compared with that from a similar number of healthy older adults and healthy young people.

For information about participating in the study contact gutstudy@deakin.edu.au or call 9246 8702.