Researchers unlock potential gut microbiome biomarkers for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

20 Nov 2023 --- Researchers at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Lowell’s Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences are exploring the effect of gut microorganisms on the onset of disease, which they believe will facilitate early detection and improved treatments, especially for cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

One of their key findings was that healthy, anti-inflammatory bacteria were less abundant in people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

“These species of bacteria are known for their role in reducing inflammation in the gut. This depletion supports a potential link between gut inflammation and Parkinson’s disease,” says Natalia Palacios, associate professor at UMass Lowell Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences. 

“The fact that we see these changes before a diagnosis suggests that, in the future, the gut microbiome may serve as a biomarker for identifying the earliest phases of the disease. This has the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment, as early detection is often key to developing new therapies.” 

Earlier this year, the latest scientific findings in gut health were unveiled at the Microbiome & Probiotic R&D and Business Collaboration Forum Europe in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The forum explored several different studies focused on gut health and its connection to anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and other brain-related health conditions. 

Motor response analysis
A preliminary study with Palacios and researchers from Harvard University analyzed the genetic gut material of 420 participants featured in two epidemiological studies — the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. 

The researchers discovered a consistently lower abundance of specific anti-inflammatory, anaerobic bacteria in Parkinson’s patients. The change was also visible in those experiencing early signs of Parkinson’s disease, which can predate the onset of the classic motor symptoms by many years.UMass researchers are exploring the role of gut microorganisms in predicting the onset of brain disorders. 

Then, in the current study, Palacios found that healthy, anti-inflammatory bacteria were less abundant in people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The study’s results, funded by a US $2.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, highlight the connection between the gut-brain axis and the central nervous system. 

“The results of our study could lead to novel biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease, as well as a better understanding of what causes the disease,” says Palacios. 

The current ongoing study is the most extensive study of the microbiome in Latin American people to better understand the link between the gut microbiome and Alzheimer’s disease. 

The study is ongoing, and researchers will examine participants in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study, a long-term project that analyzes the roles of stress, social support, diet, health behavior and genetic predisposition in relation to health disparities. 

The gut microbiome has been pegged as the “black box” of nutrition research as diet-microbiome interactions are anticipated to contribute to the foundation of dietary physiological effects. According to researchers from the University of Alberta and the University College Cork, dietary guidelines could be improved and modified based on data about diet-microbiome-host connections. 

Connecting cognition and microbiome
Using cognitive assessments and MRI brain scans, the research team will identify the gut composition of each participant, the function of each species of bacteria and which molecules are harmful and can cause disruption in the brain.

In the US alone, more than six million citizens have a brain disorder, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. The number is projected to grow to 12.7 million by 2050. 

 “Puerto Ricans, who suffer from health and social disparities, have a 50% greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease compared with the general population,” says Katherine Tucker, director of the Center for Population Health at Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences. “We have been conducting cognitive assessments and measuring the diets and health outcomes in this cohort for almost 20 years, so we have a lot of data for this new study.”

Meanwhile, nutrition brands highlight a sustained demand for products that target the gut-brain axis as research builds a better understanding of the links between the intestinal microflora and other health areas. 

By Inga de Jong