Can ‘Stool Transplants’ Via the Nose Really Help Improve Parkinson’s?

Representational image (AndreyPopov from Getty Images/via Canva) — Representational image
(AndreyPopov from Getty Images/via Canva)

Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating brain condition that takes a toll on every aspect of the afflicted person’s life. Not only does it cause issues with movement, sleep, mental health, sleep, pain and other health issues, but also worsens with time. With no cure and limited options to manage its symptoms, both patients and researchers are willing to go great lengths to find a treatment that works — even if it involves allowing someone else’s poop trickle into their nasal passage.

A recent clinical trial showed that faecal microbiota transplants (FMTs) from healthy donors led to improvements in motor symptoms for Parkinson's patients. Other troubling symptoms like tremors and balance problems saw a mild but significant decrease over a year.

The team behind this research, from Ghent University in Belgium, believes this could be a game-changer. "Our findings are incredibly encouraging," says neurologist Arnout Bruggeman. "Patients who received the FMT showed a clear improvement in motor function after a year — a key measure of Parkinson's progression."

The transplants were delivered through the patients' noses, reaching their small intestine. Not the most glamorous procedure, but for those living with Parkinson's, it could be a life-changer.

This study involved 46 participants: half received FMTs from healthy donors, the other half got a placebo. After a year, improvements in motor symptoms were only observed in the FMT group, and these improvements started showing around the 6-month mark. Researchers suspect this might be linked to changes in gut movement, but more investigation is needed.

The benefits went beyond motor function. Those who received the transplants also showed a slower development of constipation, a common side effect of Parkinson's.

"This study strongly suggests that FMT could be a valuable new weapon in our fight against Parkinson's," says biotechnologist Roosmarijn Vandenbroucke. "While further research is crucial, it offers a potentially safe, effective, and affordable way to improve symptoms and quality of life for millions worldwide."

The link between gut bacteria and Parkinson's is a growing area of research. Scientists believe protein clumps forming in the gut might travel to the brain via the vagus nerve, contributing to neurodegeneration. If the gut microbiome plays a role in this process, then altering it could potentially slow the disease or even lessen its severity.

With trillions of bacteria residing in our guts, pinpointing their exact influence on Parkinson's is a complex task. But researchers seem to be on the right track.

"Our next step is to secure funding to identify the specific bacteria with a positive impact," says biochemist Debby Laukens. "This could pave the way for the development of a targeted therapy, perhaps a pill containing these beneficial bacteria, ultimately replacing FMTs in the future."

The findings of this research have been detailed in eClinicalMedicine and can be accessed here.

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Science

A Stinky Solution? ‘Stool Transplants’ From One Person to Another Via the Nose Can Help Improve Parkinson’s