Parkinson’s disease may start in the gut, according to Brazilian research

Two studies published earlier this year by Brazilian researchers reinforce a hypothesis that has won support in the scientific community: that the evolution of neurovegetative disorders may be influenced by the gut microbiota. Studies describe how an imbalance between pathogenic and beneficial bacteria in the gut – dysbiosis – can facilitate its occurrence. Parkinson’s disease.

Speaking to Agência Fapesp, which is affiliated with the public agency promoting science in the state of São Paulo that supports the research, Matheus de Castro Fonseca, coordinator of the two teams, said: “The research has shown that: Parkinson’s disease is diagnosed late. And that the disorder can occur much earlier in the enteric nervous system. [que controla a motilidade gastrointestinal]before it travels through the autonomic fibers to the brain.”

The most recent study published in the journal iScience In March, researchers at the National Center for Energy and Materials Research (CNPEM) in Campinas focused on understanding the products secreted by bacteria. Akkermansia muciniphilaIt is abundant in stool samples from sporadic Parkinson’s patients when there are no genetic factors involved.

Rising from the gut to the brain

examination of secretions akkermansiagrown in the absence of intestinal mucus, causing stress on the mitochondria (responsible for cellular respiration) of specific cells of the intestinal epithelium called the enteroendocrine (EEC).

These functional units have many features in common with neurons, including expression of the alpha-synuclein protein (aSyn). inclusion is closely linked to Parkinson’s disease.

The great discovery of the Brazilians was that the aSyn protein, which was collected in the intestines by the uncontrolled proliferation of bacteria, can migrate to the central nervous system, It initiates a possible mechanism for the onset of Parkinson’s disease. Fonseca says it’s no coincidence that people with Parkinson’s predisposition have had previous cases of constipation.

Since there is no cure for neurodegenerative diseases, it is very important to know how to prevent them. “Previously, the focus of research was the brain. And decades of work haven’t made much progress in that direction. Now we’re redirecting the focus, from brain to gut“, Fonseca says. After all, it is easier to shape the gut microbiota than to try to reverse a pre-established state in the patient’s central nervous system.

ARTICLE – Nature Scientific Reports – DOS: 10.1038/s41598-022-08076-5; iScience – DOS: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103908.