PERSPECTIVE on Gut and Parkinson’s
Recently there have been some Posts on indications that the inflammation process that destroys dopamine producing neurons in our Substantia Nigra originates in our Gut, reaching our brain via the vagus nerve. Think about it, this is good news, at last the cause of Parkinson’s has been identified. Which comes from the blog, Reporting on research conducted in Scandinavia?
I am 12 years past diagnosis. with the untold millions of dollars spent on research here in the United Stares during these years. How is it possible that some of these US scientists are not shouting this good news? Aren’t they looking for the cause of PD? Actually, their research is more focused. They already know what they are looking for. Their a priori assumption, is that the Protein alpha Synucleon causes the disease. Rather then looking for the cause of the disease, they are looking for alpha synucleon causing our disease. Think about it, this distinction is enormous. They are no closer to finding a cure for PD.
Yet because so many researchers are given huge grants to look for how alpha synucleon causes PD, and because their Careers hinge on the Theory that there is only one (already known) cause
of PD. The outcome is Career sustaining for the researchers. As contrasted to explaining the actual cause of this disease that affects we PWP.
This is hugely important, in that understanding how Parkinson’s is acquired, will lead to understanding Markers which will lead to early treatment interventions and even prevention.
Back to the first paragraph. The indications that the inflammation process that destroys dopamine producing neurons in our Substantia Nigra originates in our Gut, reaching our brain via the vagus nerve. What are the indications?
A Study found that compared to healthy controls, people with Parkinson’s disease appear to have distinctly different gut bacteria. Study led by University of Helsinki Institute of Biotechnology in Finland, published in journal, Movement Disorders.
Researchers at Arahus University in Demark report (Ann Neurol 2015 May 29) that from all indications, Parkinson’s disease begins in the gut and spreads to the brain via the vagus nerve.
Between 1970 and 1995, an accepted treatment for ulcers was to cut all or part of the vagus nerve. They noted that individuals whose vagus nerve was severed didn’t develop Parkinson’s
Disease as frequently sd the general population. Their risk was halved over 20 years.
Chronic inflammation mediated by microglial cells is the fundamental process contributing
to the death of dopamine (DA) producing neurons in the brain. Production of inflammatory products (cytokines) by these microglial cells.
Vagus nerve fibers running from the gut to the brain end up in special nuclei within the brain stem (nucleus tractus solitaries and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. Inflammation signals from the gut come to these nuclei resulting in microglial activation, stimulating the microglial cells to travel to the substantia nigra and other areas that are damaged in Parkinson disease.
What about the indications? First, the findings that severing the vagus, with the ulcer patients was found to be preventative grabs my attention.. We all have experiences with gut issues. Plan to explore the opportunities in probiotics (managing number and kinds).
Appreciate those who initiated posting on this subject..
Again, a perspective.
BillDavid