Diet and the microbiome in Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder with increasing worldwide prevalence. A number of genetic and environmental factors are thought to contribute to the etiology and progression of Parkinson’s disease. A common condition experienced by people with Parkinson’s disease is gastrointestinal problems, including constipation. There are also known changes to the microbiota (bacteria) in the gut, though the precise nature of these changes is still unclear. Research in the Appel-Cresswell and Finlay labs are investigating how the gut microbiome changes with Parkinson’s disease and the potential role of the microbiome in disease onset and progression. In addition, they are investigating the role of diet in Parkinson’s disease and the potential protective effects of a diet called the MIND diet that is similar to the Mediterranean diet.