None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Research has shown differences exist in gut bacteria between people with Parkinson’s disease and those without Parkinson’s disease. This research indicates that specific bacteria, capable of producing beneficial compounds called Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs), are reduced in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Additional research indicates that the start of Parkinson’s may be in the gut, where it then spreads toward the brain. We wish to investigate this further and want to see if people’s lifestyle factors, like diet, physical activity and sleep, contribute to the difference in gut bacteria between people with Parkinson’s, and people without Parkinson’s. For example, does higher levels of physical activity relate to better gut bacterial health? And how might this differ between the groups? Additionally, we wish to determine what relationship gut bacteria has to participants capability to think, termed cognition, and to participants ability to learn motor tasks, referred to as neuroplasticity, as both factors can be affected in Parkinson’s disease. Overall, we aim to investigate if/how gut bacteria contributes to Parkinson’s disease progression and what impact lifestyle factors may have on this relationship. Specifically, the primary objective of this study is to assess if differences exist in terms of gut bacteria characteristics, meaning the types and amounts of gut bacteria present, across healthy young and healthy old groups and in PD. Additionally, the relationships between participants gut bacteria and scores of cognition and neuroplasticity will be assessed for any relationships that may indicate involvement of gut bacteria in these factors. Finally, lifestyle factors including diet, physical activity and sleep will be measured to see what effect they have on individuals gut bacteria. We expect there to be different gut bacteria characteristics across the groups, with lower amounts of specific and beneficial SCFA producing gut bacteria in the Parkinson’s disease individuals. In addition, we expect healthier lifestyles, based on the three factors measured, to relate to better gut bacteria characteristics, namely an increased number of SCFA producing bacteria. Cognition and neuroplasticity scores will be lower in the older adult groups, and we expect them to be less again in the PD group.
Interventions
The condition to be observed is Parkinson's disease, in comparison to healthy older adults who are age and sex-matched. Additionally, a group of healthy younger adults will be compared to the older adult group to determine age-related differences in a neurologically healthy population.
Physical activity monitors will be measured by actigraphy, sleep will be measured with a sleep diary and actigraphy, and diet will be assessed through the online ASA24-food recall questionnaire. Cognitive measur
The condition to be observed is Parkinson's disease, in comparison to healthy older adults who are age and sex-matched. Additionally, a group of healthy younger adults will be compared to the older adult group to determine age-related differences in a neurologically healthy population. Physical activity monitors will be measured by actigraphy, sleep will be measured with a sleep diary and actigraphy, and diet will be assessed through the online ASA24-food recall questionnaire. Cognitive measures include the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), National Adult Reading Test (NART), Trail making tests, the Cogstate brief battery, and three n-back tasks (1-, 2- and 3-back) whilst wearing a portable fNIRS (Brite 24 system) device by Artinis to measure the brains haemodynamic responses to the n-back tasks. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) measures of the Abductor Pollicis brevis and extensor carpi radialis muscles will be taken through a MagStim with BiStim attachment to allow for single-pulse measures of excitability (at 1.2 and 1.4x resting motor threshold) and for paired-pulse measures of inhibition (Short intracortical inhibition). These measures will occur before and after a complex finger-tapping task to determine any use-dependent neuroplasticity effects. Gut bacteria will be assessed through faecal samples collected by participants in their own home, before being sent back to Deakin University where they will be processed and then stored in -80 degrees freezers for later analysis (shotgun analysis). All measures are completely non-invasive. The cognitive testing and TMS measures will take place prior to the other measures and will be conducted at Deakin University. Total duration for this on-campus session will be approximately 2 hours. All cognitive measures, excluding the MoCA and NART which are paper forms, will be completed on the computer. Specific instructions for the various tests will be communicated to participants on the day of testing. Following these, a screening form will be administered to ensure the participants eligibility to undergo TMS testing. If eligible TMS measures will be undertaken. Once complete, the physical activity monitors, faecal sample collection kit, written instructions, log-on information for the ASA24-diet recall and the sleep diary will be handed to participants along with a pre-paid mail envelope. The total duration of the assessment sessions for the lifestyle measures of sleep and physical activity will be for 7 days, within this time frame 2 entries will be made to the ASA24-food recall. Faecal sample collection will only occur once within this time frame. There are no follow-up testing sessions or measures. Once complete the participant will return all study equipment and information, along with faecal sample, through the pre-paid envelop slip that was provided. The measures and tests will be administered by a researcher (PhD candidate).
Sponsors
Helen Macpherson
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
• 50-80 years for both groups (Healthy older and PD groups) and between 18-35 years for the healthy younger adult group • Presence of PD, as determined through independent neurologist, for PD group. Level of severity (UPDRS stage II and III) will be determined and mild-moderate PD patients will be included. Note: No early onset PD cases to be included in the study, PD diagnosis has to have occurred at 50 years of age or later. • For healthy older group, no neurological conditions present and no first-degree relatives with PD (determined through self-report questionnaires). No signs of Parkinsonism or symptoms associated with premotor PD (Assessed through the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS stages II and III) • greater than or equal to 24/30 for the healthy older group on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), greater than or equal to 21 for the PD group on the MoCA For the healthy younger adult group: • Aged between 18-35 years • No neurological/neurodegenerative conditions and no first-degree relatives with PD (determined through self-report questionnaires) • No signs of Parkinsonism or symptoms associated with premotor PD (Assessed through the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS stages II and III) • greater than or equal to 24/30 on the MoCA
Exclusion criteria
• Taken prebiotics (fibre supplementation, inulin etc.) or probiotics (Over the counter probiotics, , including Yakult or similar products) within previous 3 months • Gastrointestinal diseases such as Colitis or Crohn’s disease • Obesity (BMI greater or equal to 30) • Drugs/Medication including proton-pump inhibitors and antibiotic use (within the previous 3 months) • Current drug or alcohol abuse • Conditions precluding TMS (epilepsy, pacemakers, metal implants etc.) • PD individuals excluded if they have atypical or secondary Parkinsonism. Additional neurological conditions (i.e. stroke, epilepsy etc. will also be exclusions) • Clinical diagnosis of depression, or a score of greater than 21 (21-30 indicates moderate depression) as assessed through Beck’s Depression Inventory
Outcome results
None listed