Novel Treatment Utilizing Fecal Pills Shows Promise in Alleviating Parkinson’s Symptoms
There is a new treatment for Parkinson's disease that may be challenging for some to consider. Yet, the results of a recent clinical trial demonstrate its impressive effectiveness in alleviating many symptoms that impact patients' quality of life, which could potentially persuade those hesitant to give it a try.
This treatment focuses on restoring the gut health of Parkinson's patients using fecal microbiota, in simpler terms, human feces.
Overview
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The health of your gut microbiome directly impacts cognitive function, with imbalances in gut bacteria associated with aging linked to memory loss and slower learning.
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A fecal microbial transplant (FMT) has the potential to restore youthful gut bacteria, potentially slowing or reversing cognitive aging by supporting healthy brain function.
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Besides promoting brain health, FMT is under investigation for various conditions, ranging from allergies to type 2 diabetes, highlighting its broad therapeutic potential.
Using the Gut-Brain Connection to Heal
Imagine rejuvenating your brain's aging process simply by addressing the balance of bacteria in your gut.
Renowned neurologist Dr. David Perlmutter believes this innovative approach could be the key to halting memory decline. Could this "poop pill" therapy enhance memory, boost learning, and even provide protection against dementia?
Parkinson’s Disease May Start in The Gut
Prior to delving into the specifics of the fecal treatment, it is crucial to highlight that researchers are finally exploring the gut-brain connection with regards to neurological diseases like Parkinson’s disease.
The current hypothesis suggests that Parkinson's may originate from either the brain or the gut. The gut theory is based on the high prevalence of gastrointestinal dysfunction before the disease's onset. Four out of five individuals experience prolonged colon transit time—a marker for constipation—before developing the disease.
Newly diagnosed Parkinson's patients often exhibit intestinal inflammation and a leaky gut, with imbalanced gut microorganisms, having a higher ratio of harmful bacteria and lower levels of healthy ones compared to healthy individuals.
Studies have also revealed that the appendix may trigger the disease.
In addition to this evidence, clusters of alpha-synuclein protein, a hallmark of Parkinson's, have been identified in the intestines before disease onset. In animal models, these clusters have been observed to reach the brain via the vagal nerve.
Human evidence supports this as well. Patients who underwent a vagotomy, a surgical procedure involving the partial cutting of the vagal nerve (rarely performed for peptic ulcers), exhibited a significantly decreased risk of developing Parkinson's in the years following the surgery. We have previously reported on various forms of vagus nerve stimulation as a method to alleviate pain and enhance brain function, digestion, as well as memory and mood.
So, how does human feces play a role in this?
It’s Unpleasant, But This "Fecal" Treatment Works
Feces contain numerous microbial organisms that can replenish and heal the gut. A procedure known as fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) harnesses their healing properties. Here's how FMT operates: Healthy human feces are extracted from a donor and transplanted into a patient. A tube is inserted through the patient's nose, directed down the throat, and guided into the small intestine.
Although it may be difficult to fathom, the outcomes are undeniable.
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial named GUT-PARFECT, 46 patients aged 50 to 65 with mild to moderate early-stage Parkinson's disease underwent FMT. Half of the participants received a healthy donor stool, while the other half received their own stool to serve as a placebo. The fecal microbiota transplant was a one-time procedure and was evaluated over a twelve-month period.
At the six-month mark, researchers observed that Parkinson's patients receiving FMT experienced enhancements in motor symptoms. By the trial's conclusion, the MDS-UPDRS scale—considered the standard scale for evaluating Parkinson's symptoms—increased by 5.8 points in the healthy donor group compared to just 2.7 points in the placebo group. This surpasses the threshold of 3.25, indicating a clinically significant improvement.
Constipation, a prevalent symptom of Parkinson's, exhibited improvement. Tests indicated a slower progression of constipation in the treated group compared to the placebo group between three to six months.
Professor Roosmarijn Vandenbroucke, a member of the research team from Ghent University in Belgium, provided insight, stating, "Our study offers promising indications that FMT could be a valuable novel treatment for Parkinson's disease. Further research is necessary, but it presents a potentially safe, effective, and cost-efficient method to enhance symptoms and quality of life for numerous Parkinson's patients globally."
Professor Vandebroucke expressed optimism that the FDA will take notice and approve this treatment for Parkinson's patients. Currently, FMT is FDA-approved for treating recurrent Clostridium difficile infection, a gastrointestinal infection that leads to diarrhea and abdominal pain, with a success rate of 90%. That's correct, nine out of ten patients show improvement!
Furthermore, researchers are optimistic that FMT could eventually be replaced by a 'poop pill' to offer a more convenient treatment option for patients. Professor Debby Laukens, another member of the Ghent research team, remarked, "Our next phase involves securing funding to identify which bacteria have a positive impact. This could pave the way for developing a 'bacterial pill' or other targeted therapy that could potentially replace FMT in the future."
Our Conclusion
This represents the latest clinical trial contributing to the scientific evidence emphasizing the gut's significance in preventing and treating neurological conditions such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. In essence, do not overlook your gut, especially if you possess risk factors for neurological issues.
The primary step in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome involves consuming foods like fruits, vegetables, and fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, and kimchi, while avoiding processed foods and refined sugars. Additionally, consider supplementing with a high-quality probiotic supplement.
Summary
The correlation between gut health and brain function has unveiled groundbreaking possibilities for addressing cognitive decline, including dementia. A recent study on fecal microbial transplants (FMT) revealed that gut bacteria from elderly donors induced cognitive impairment in young mice, while researchers speculate that the reverse scenario—introducing young microbes into older individuals—could potentially rejuvenate memory and learning. Despite being primarily utilized for gastrointestinal conditions like C. diff, FMT exhibits promise in enhancing cognitive health. However, concerns such as bacterial contamination persist. Although still experimental, FMT's ability to restore memory by revitalizing the gut-brain axis signals a promising advancement in combatting age-related cognitive decline.