New Delhi: A new study has revealed that bacteria residing in the mouth and gut may play a key role in worsening memory and cognitive decline in individuals suffering from Parkinson’s disease. The findings suggest a strong link between microbial imbalance and neurological health, offering new insights for early diagnosis and treatment.
The study, conducted by scientists from King’s College London, found that disruptions in gut microbiota may intensify the symptoms of Parkinson’s, particularly those related to thinking, memory, and mental clarity. The research could pave the way for identifying early warning signs of the disease based on microbiome changes.
“Oral and gut bacteria can influence neurological disorders,” said Dr. Saeed Shoaie, a researcher involved in the study. “When these microbes become imbalanced, they may trigger inflammation and immune responses that ultimately harm the brain.”
Published in the journal Gut Microbes, the study analyzed saliva and stool samples from 228 participants. These included two groups of Parkinson’s patients—one with mild cognitive impairment and another with dementia—along with healthy individuals for comparison. The researchers discovered that those with cognitive issues had a higher concentration of harmful bacteria in the gut, likely originating from the mouth.
This phenomenon, termed oral-gut translocation, occurs when mouth bacteria travel to the gut, where they can produce toxins and promote inflammation, potentially leading to brain damage.
Dr. Frederik Claassen, a co-author of the study, explained, “We don’t yet know whether these bacteria are a cause or a consequence of cognitive decline in Parkinson’s patients, but they clearly exacerbate the symptoms.”
Advanced AI tools helped identify the bacterial species and their toxic by-products, which researchers believe could be potential targets for future therapies. The findings offer hope for developing microbiome-based treatments to slow cognitive deterioration in Parkinson’s disease.
