Evidence for the Gut Microbiome to Contribute to Parkinson ' s Disease

In this open access paper, researchers provide evidence in support of the hypothesis that the development of Parkinson's disease starts in the gut, with changes in the microbiome that promote dysfunction: Neurological dysfunction is the basis of numerous human diseases. Affected tissues often contain insoluble aggregates of proteins that display altered conformations, a feature believed to contribute to an estimated 50 distinct human diseases. Neurodegenerative amyloid disorders, including Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and Parkinson's diseases (PD), are each associated with a distinct amyloid protein. PD is a multifactorial disorder that has a strong environmental component, as less than 10% of cases are hereditary. Aggregation of α-synuclein (αSyn) is thought to be pathogenic in a family of diseases termed synucleinopathies, which includes PD, multiple system atrophy, and Lewy body disease. αSyn aggregation is a stepwise process, leading to oligomeric species and intransient fibrils that accumulate within neurons. Dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) appear particularly vulnerable to effects of αSyn aggregates. Although neurological diseases have been historically studied within the central nervous system (CNS), peripheral influences have been implicated in the onset and/or progression of diseases that impact the brain. Indeed, emerging data suggest bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain. Gastrointestinal (GI) ...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs