Simon
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Good question. Using alpha synuclein, the key molecule in PD looks like a strong start. Some comment in a Medcape piece Gut Microbiome Again Linked to Parkinson's Symptoms@Simon (or anyone),any opinion on how representative is their "mouse model"?
Another caveat is that the α-synuclein--expressing mouse model only recapitulates the earlier symptoms of Parkinson's disease, and models for later stages of the disease have not yet been developed, Dr Sampson (lead author] said.
James Beck, PhD, vice president of scientific affairs for the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, echoed the concern that mouse models in Parkinson's disease research have in the past failed to deliver in human trials but said the new findings are nevertheless promising.
"It's important to first note that this is a mouse study because too often we have seen success in treating Parkinson's disease in mice, and the effects haven't translated to humans," he told Medscape Medical News.
"But with that in mind, I think this is really exciting because it opens up a new area of research."
That's quite different, looking at the effect of cutting the vagal nerve on PD risk - nothing about the microbiome.This is not really 'new' new. This came out over a year ago:
Parkinson's disease begins in the gastrointestinal tract, large study indicates
Vagotomy and subsequent risk of Parkinson's disease - Svensson - 2015 - Annals of Neurology - Wiley Online Library
However, the study itself is questionable because people had their vagal nerve cut because of serious gut issues especially ulcers - so there are all sorts of confounding factors likely too be at play. Comparing them with 'matched' healthy controls, who presumably never had ulcers, isn't necessarily that informative - though a halving of risk for PD is an impressive effect.
Also, the same study is cited as 'controversial' evidence that PD spreads by activation of alpha-synuclein from the gut up the vagal nerve to the brain (as opposed to viruses). Somethiiing for everyone.