September 2021

Genome-wide association study of REM sleep behavior disorder identifies novel loci with distinct polygenic and brain expression effects

A-Synuclein, iRBD /

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD), enactment of dreams during REM sleep, isan early clinical symptom of alpha-synucleinopathies. RBD also defines more severe forms of alphasynucleinopathies. The genetic background of RBD and its underlying mechanisms are not wellunderstood. Here, we performed the first genome-wide association study of RBD, identifying five RBD riskloci. Expression […]

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Investigating Casual Associations among Gut Microbiota, Metabolites and Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Gut Dysbiosis, Gut Microbiota, Gut-Brain axis, Metabolites, Parkinson's Disease /

Our study firstly applied a two-sample MR approach to detect causal relationships among gut microbiota, gut metabolites and the risk of AD, PD and ALS, andwe revealed several causal relationships. These findings may provide new targets for treatment of these neurodegenerative diseases, and may offer valuableinsights for further researches on the underlying mechanisms. In summary,

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The Effect of a Probiotic Complex on the Gut-Brain Axis: A Translational Study

Biomarkers, Gut Microbiota, Metabolites, Probiotics, Prebiotics and Symbiotics /

A significant improvement of cognitive functions, in terms of short-termmemory, attention, and executive performance, as well as ofpsychophysiological markers, such as salivary cortisol level,skin conductance, sleep quality, and anxiety, were observed.Conclusions: According to the results, L. reuteri PBS072 andB. breve BB077 are potential probiotic candidates for improving stress resilience, cognitive functions, and sleep quality CLICK

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A New Kind of Pathogen – The prion-like pathology of amyloid fibrils in Parkinson’s disease

A-Synuclein, Dementia - Lewy Bodies, Gut-Brain axis, Olfactory, Parkinson's Disease, Pre-PD, Vagal Nerve /

This chapter contrasts the prion-like behavior of alphasynuclein in Parkinson’s disease with other prion diseases.In prion diseases, the infectious, amyloid form of theprotein induces the corresponding normally folded proteinto assume the toxic fold, spreading the disease and slowlydestroying the brains of infected patients. Lewy pathologyin Parkinson’s disease appears to spread in a mannersimilar to that

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The effects of coffee consumption and antibiotic use on gut microbial community structure of Parkinson’s disease patients

Gut Dysbiosis, Gut Microbiota, Parkinson's Disease, Probiotics, Prebiotics and Symbiotics /

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex brain disorder involving a multitude ofcontributing factors ranging from environmental to genetic. Interestingly, it has been foundthat the gut microbial community is altered in PD patients when compared to that of non-PDindividuals. However, the factors contributing to altered gut microbiota remain largelyunexplored. As such, the first objective of our

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The Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Brain and Cognitive Function

Fasting, Parkinson's Disease /

The importance of diet and the gut-brain axis for brain health and cognitive function isincreasingly acknowledged. Dietary interventions are tested for their potential to prevent and/ortreat brain disorders. Intermittent fasting (IF), the abstinence or strong limitation of calories for 12to 48 hours, alternated with periods of regular food intake, has shown promising results on neurobiological

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Epigenetic inactivation of the autophagy–lysosomal system in appendix in Parkinson’s disease

A-Synuclein, Parkinson's Disease /

The gastrointestinal tract may be a site of origin for α-synuclein pathology in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD). Disruption of the autophagy-lysosome pathway (ALP) may contribute to α-synuclein aggregation. Here we examined epigenetic alterations in the ALP in the appendix by deep sequencing DNA methylation at 521 ALP genes. We identified aberrant methylation at 928 cytosines

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The effect of oral butyrate administration on the release of serotonin and dopamine in the gastrointestinal trac

Butyrate, Gut Microbiota, Gut-Brain axis /

The microbiota-gut-brain axis is a modern concept with wide and physiologically important effects.The aim of the study was to investigate if an orally given short chain fatty acid (SCFA), butyrate,stimulates the formation and release of serotonin and dopamine in an in vivo rat model. The effect ofbutyrate was investigated in the entire gastrointestinal tract since

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Lactiplantibacillus plantarum PS128 Alleviates Exaggerated Cortical Beta Oscillations and Motor Deficits in the 6-Hydroxydopamine Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson's Disease, Pre-PD, Probiotics, Prebiotics and Symbiotics /

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by midbrain dopaminergic neuronal loss and subsequent physical impairments. Levodopa manages symptoms best, while deep brain stimulation (DBS) is effective for advanced PD patients; however, side effects occur with the diminishing therapeutic window. Recently, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum PS128 (PS128) was found to elevate dopamine levels in rodent brains, suggesting its

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