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Hans India
13-06-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Gut and oral bacteria linked to cognitive decline: Study
Bacteria in the mouth and gut may play a significant role in the progression of cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease, according to a study. Specific changes in the gut microbiome have been associated with the shift from mild memory issues to dementia, a common and distressing symptom of the disease. While Parkinson's is currently very difficult to diagnose in its early stages, these changes in the microbiome could potentially act as early warning signs of Parkinson's, said the researchers from King's College London. It may help doctors detect and treat the disease before symptoms become severe. 'The human gut and oral bacterial communities are increasingly linked to neurodegenerative diseases. Disruptions in the gut-brain axis could trigger inflammation and immune responses that contribute to neuronal damage,' said Dr. Saeed Shoaie, group leader of the Quantitative Systems Biology (QTS) Lab at King's College London, UK. In the study, published in the journal Gut Microbes, researchers analysed gut and mouth bacteria collected from 228 samples of stool and saliva. This included two groups of patients with Parkinson's -- those with mild cognitive decline and those with dementia -- showing different stages of the disease. These were compared with a healthy control group with no Parkinson's diagnosis. The results showed clear differences in the types and functions of bacteria between the groups. In people with cognitive impairment, the gut contains more harmful bacteria, many of which likely come from the mouth. This process, known as 'oral-gut translocation,' involves oral bacteria moving into the gut, where they don't normally belong. These bacteria were found to release specific molecules known as virulence factors, toxins that can damage gut tissue, promote inflammation, and possibly affect the brain. 'We don't yet know if the bacteria are causing the cognitive decline or if changes in the body due to Parkinson's allow these bacteria to grow. But our findings suggest they may play an active role in worsening symptoms,' said Dr. Frederick Clasen, research associate at King's. Using artificial intelligence (AI), the team linked these toxins specifically to cognitive decline in Parkinson's. These tools helped pinpoint bacterial species and functions that weren't obvious by traditional analysis alone. 'These toxins could be used as biological markers to identify patients at higher risk of dementia in Parkinson's. In the future, they might also be targets for new treatments that protect the brain by changing the gut environment,' Dr. Clasen explained. The findings also highlight the importance of oral hygiene and nutrition in people with Parkinson's, especially as the disease progresses.
India.com
10-06-2025
- Health
- India.com
Oral And Gut Bacteria Linked To Worsening Dementia In Parkinsons: New Study Reveals Shocking Connection
New Delhi: Bacteria in the mouth and gut may play a significant role in the progression of cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease, according to a study. Specific changes in the gut microbiome have been associated with the shift from mild memory issues to dementia, a common and distressing symptom of the disease. While Parkinson's is currently very difficult to diagnose in its early stages, these changes in the microbiome could potentially act as early warning signs of Parkinson's, said the researchers from King's College London. It may help doctors detect and treat the disease before symptoms become severe. "The human gut and oral bacterial communities are increasingly linked to neurodegenerative diseases. Disruptions in the gut-brain axis could trigger inflammation and immune responses that contribute to neuronal damage,' said Dr. Saeed Shoaie, group leader of the Quantitative Systems Biology (QTS) Lab at King's College London, UK. In the study, published in the journal Gut Microbes, researchers analysed gut and mouth bacteria collected from 228 samples of stool and saliva. This included two groups of patients with Parkinson's -- those with mild cognitive decline and those with dementia -- showing different stages of the disease. These were compared with a healthy control group with no Parkinson's diagnosis. The results showed clear differences in the types and functions of bacteria between the groups. In people with cognitive impairment, the gut contains more harmful bacteria, many of which likely come from the mouth. This process, known as "oral-gut translocation," involves oral bacteria moving into the gut, where they don't normally belong. These bacteria were found to release specific molecules known as virulence factors, toxins that can damage gut tissue, promote inflammation, and possibly affect the brain. "We don't yet know if the bacteria are causing the cognitive decline or if changes in the body due to Parkinson's allow these bacteria to grow. But our findings suggest they may play an active role in worsening symptoms," said Dr. Frederick Clasen, research associate at King's. Using artificial intelligence (AI), the team linked these toxins specifically to cognitive decline in Parkinson's. These tools helped pinpoint bacterial species and functions that weren't obvious by traditional analysis alone. "These toxins could be used as biological markers to identify patients at higher risk of dementia in Parkinson's. In the future, they might also be targets for new treatments that protect the brain by changing the gut environment," Dr. Clasen explained. The findings also highlight the importance of oral hygiene and nutrition in people with Parkinson's, especially as the disease progresses.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gut bacteria changes may be warning sign for worsening Parkinson's
Changes in specific bacteria in the mouth and gut of patients with Parkinson's disease could potentially be an early warning sign that symptoms of the condition are getting worse, a study suggests. With the help of artificial intelligence (AI), scientists have linked these shifts to cognitive decline – problems with memory and learning – in people with the disease. They suggest the toxins could one day be used as 'markers' for medics to pinpoint the Parkinson's patients at a higher risk of dementia, as well as being used to help develop targeted treatments for the disease. Parkinson's disease is a progressive condition that affects the brain, with symptoms including involuntary shaking, known as tremors, as well as psychological problems such as depression, loss of balance, trouble sleeping and memory issues. According to the Alzheimer's Society, around a third of people with Parkinson's eventually develop dementia. 'The human gut and oral bacterial communities are increasingly linked to neurodegenerative diseases. Disruptions in the gut-brain axis could trigger inflammation and immune responses that contribute to neuronal damage," Dr Saeed Shoaie, group leader of the quantitative systems biology (QTS) lab at King's College London, said. "A common gum disease bacterium like porphyromonas gingivalis has been discovered as a potential driver of Alzheimer's." For the study, led by experts at King's College London and published in the journal Gut Microbes, scientists analysed 228 spit and stool samples. The samples came from 41 patients with Parkinson's and mild cognitive impairment, which causes problems with thinking and memory, 47 patients with Parkinson's and dementia and 26 healthy patients. The team found that the gut of people with mild cognitive impairment contained more harmful bacteria, many of which are likely to have come from the mouth. This bacteria releases toxins that can damage gut tissue, promote inflammation and potentially affect the brain, according to researchers. For a more in-depth analysis, the team used AI to pinpoint the bacterial species and functions not usually picked up by traditional testing, allowing them to link toxins specifically to cognitive decline. Dr Shoaie added: 'The emerging evidence underscores the potential importance of maintaining oral and gut health in mitigating or slowing neurodegenerative processes. 'As people with Parkinson's become increasingly reliant on carers, routine practices such as oral hygiene and nutritional intake may be neglected. 'Our findings suggest that promoting a healthy microbiome through consistent oral care, a balanced diet and potentially targeted probiotic interventions could support improved disease management in Parkinson's.'
Wales Online
09-06-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Changes in the mouth could be early sign of dementia in Parkinson's
Changes in the mouth could be early sign of dementia in Parkinson's The changes could be used to identify people at higher risk of worsening symptoms A woman's mouth being checked and swabbed Changes in specific bacteria in the mouth and gut of patients with Parkinson's disease could potentially be an early warning sign that symptoms of the condition are getting worse, a study suggests. With the help of artificial intelligence (AI), scientists have linked these shifts to cognitive decline – problems with memory and learning – in people with the disease. They suggest the toxins could one day be used as 'markers' for medics to pinpoint the Parkinson's patients at a higher risk of dementia, as well as being used to help develop targeted treatments for the disease. Parkinson's disease is a progressive condition that affects the brain, with symptoms including involuntary shaking, known as tremors, as well as psychological problems such as depression, loss of balance, trouble sleeping and memory issues. According to the Alzheimer's Society, around a third of people with Parkinson's eventually develop dementia. Dr Saeed Shoaie, group leader of the quantitative systems biology (QTS) lab at King's College London, said: 'The human gut and oral bacterial communities are increasingly linked to neurodegenerative diseases. 'Disruptions in the gut-brain axis could trigger inflammation and immune responses that contribute to neuronal damage. 'A common gum disease bacterium like porphyromonas gingivalis has been discovered as a potential driver of Alzheimer's.' For the study, led by experts at King's College London and published in the journal Gut Microbes, scientists analysed 228 spit and stool samples. The samples came from 41 patients with Parkinson's and mild cognitive impairment, which causes problems with thinking and memory, 47 patients with Parkinson's and dementia and 26 healthy patients. Article continues below The team found that the gut of people with mild cognitive impairment contained more harmful bacteria, many of which are likely to have come from the mouth. This bacteria releases toxins that can damage gut tissue, promote inflammation and potentially affect the brain, according to researchers. For a more in-depth analysis, the team used AI to pinpoint the bacterial species and functions not usually picked up by traditional testing, allowing them to link toxins specifically to cognitive decline. Dr Shoaie added: 'The emerging evidence underscores the potential importance of maintaining oral and gut health in mitigating or slowing neurodegenerative processes. 'As people with Parkinson's become increasingly reliant on carers, routine practices such as oral hygiene and nutritional intake may be neglected. Our findings suggest that promoting a healthy microbiome through consistent oral care, a balanced diet and potentially targeted probiotic interventions could support improved disease management in Parkinson's.' Article continues below Dr Frederick Clasen, research associate at the QTS lab, said: 'We don't yet know if the bacteria are causing the cognitive decline or if changes in the body due to Parkinson's allow these bacteria to grow. But our findings suggest they may play an active role in worsening symptoms.' Dr Clasen suggests these markers could one day be used to develop targeted treatments. "These toxins could be used as biological markers to identify patients at higher risk of dementia in Parkinson's,' he said. 'In the future, they might also be targets for new treatments that protect the brain by changing the gut environment.'
Glasgow Times
09-06-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Gut bacteria changes could be ‘warning sign for worsening Parkinson's symptoms'
With the help of artificial intelligence (AI), scientists have linked these shifts to cognitive decline – problems with memory and learning – in people with the disease. They suggest the toxins could one day be used as 'markers' for medics to pinpoint the Parkinson's patients at a higher risk of dementia, as well as being used to help develop targeted treatments for the disease. Parkinson's disease is a progressive condition that affects the brain, with symptoms including involuntary shaking, known as tremors, as well as psychological problems such as depression, loss of balance, trouble sleeping and memory issues. According to the Alzheimer's Society, around a third of people with Parkinson's eventually develop dementia. Dr Saeed Shoaie, group leader of the quantitative systems biology (QTS) lab at King's College London, said: 'The human gut and oral bacterial communities are increasingly linked to neurodegenerative diseases. 'Disruptions in the gut-brain axis could trigger inflammation and immune responses that contribute to neuronal damage. 'A common gum disease bacterium like porphyromonas gingivalis has been discovered as a potential driver of Alzheimer's.' For the study, led by experts at King's College London and published in the journal Gut Microbes, scientists analysed 228 spit and stool samples. The samples came from 41 patients with Parkinson's and mild cognitive impairment, which causes problems with thinking and memory, 47 patients with Parkinson's and dementia and 26 healthy patients. The team found that the gut of people with mild cognitive impairment contained more harmful bacteria, many of which are likely to have come from the mouth. This bacteria releases toxins that can damage gut tissue, promote inflammation and potentially affect the brain, according to researchers. For a more in-depth analysis, the team used AI to pinpoint the bacterial species and functions not usually picked up by traditional testing, allowing them to link toxins specifically to cognitive decline. Dr Shoaie added: 'The emerging evidence underscores the potential importance of maintaining oral and gut health in mitigating or slowing neurodegenerative processes. 'As people with Parkinson's become increasingly reliant on carers, routine practices such as oral hygiene and nutritional intake may be neglected. 'Our findings suggest that promoting a healthy microbiome through consistent oral care, a balanced diet and potentially targeted probiotic interventions could support improved disease management in Parkinson's.' Dr Frederick Clasen, research associate at the QTS lab, said: 'We don't yet know if the bacteria are causing the cognitive decline or if changes in the body due to Parkinson's allow these bacteria to grow. 'But our findings suggest they may play an active role in worsening symptoms.' Dr Clasen suggests these markers could one day be used to develop targeted treatments. 'These toxins could be used as biological markers to identify patients at higher risk of dementia in Parkinson's,' he said. 'In the future, they might also be targets for new treatments that protect the brain by changing the gut environment.'
