News
Scientists seek link between gut microbiota and Parkinson’s disease
15 Dec 2014Parkinson’s disease sufferers have a different microbiota in their intestines than their healthy counterparts, according to a study conducted at the University of Helsinki and the Helsinki University Central Hospital. Researchers are now trying to determine what the connection between intestinal microbes and Parkinson’s disease is. According to the researchers, the most important observation was that […]

Parkinson’s disease sufferers have a different microbiota in their intestines than their healthy counterparts, according to a study conducted at the University of Helsinki and the Helsinki University Central Hospital. Researchers are now trying to determine what the connection between intestinal microbes and Parkinson’s disease is.
According to the researchers, the most important observation was that patients with Parkinson’s have much less bacteria from the Prevotellaceae family; unlike the control group, practically no one in the patient group had a large quantity of bacteria from this family, said Filip Scheperjans, neurologist at the Helsinki University Hospital (HUCH).
The researchers have not yet determined what the lack of Prevotellaceae bacteria in Parkinson’s sufferers means – do these bacteria perhaps have a property which protects their host from the disease? Or does this discovery merely indicate that intestinal dysfunction is part of the pathology?
“It’s an interesting question which we are trying to answer,” Sheperjans said.
Another interesting discovery was that the amount of bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family in the intestine was connected to the degree of severity of balance and walking problems in the patients. The more Enterobacteriaceae they had, the more severe the symptoms.
“We are currently re-examining these same subjects to determine whether the differences are permanent and whether intestinal bacteria are associated with the progression of the disease and therefore its prognosis,” said Sheperjans. “In addition, we will have to see if these changes in the bacterial ecosystem are apparent before the onset of motor symptoms. We will of course also try to establish the basis of this connection between intestinal microbiota and Parkinson’s disease – what kind of mechanism binds them.”
The researchers also hope that their discoveries could ultimately be used to develop a testing method which would improve the diagnostics in Parkinson’s disease and perhaps finally find a way to treat or even prevent Parkinson’s by focusing on gut microbiota.
Led by Scheperjans and Petri Auvinen from the University of Helsinki Institute of Biotechnology, the research project received funding from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and the Finnish Parkinson Foundation.
The study recruited 72 Parkinson’s disease patients through HUCH and Hyvinkää Central Hospital, as well as an equal number of healthy control subjects.
Related news

The winners of Vitafoods Europe Startup Challenge 2025 revealed
29 May 2025
Four startups – Yomio Drops, PFx Biotech, Revobiom, and Favamole – took top prizes at this year’s Vitafoods Europe Startup Challenge awards.
Read more
East takes on West in the fight for future food flavours
30 Apr 2025
Asian and South American flavours are now key components on global menus, driven by a growing global appetite for culinary mashups.
Read more
Food companies urged to bring ‘joy’ and urgency to healthy food mission
14 Mar 2025
For too long, businesses have treated health and sustainability as separate agendas – but there is growing evidence to show diets that benefit human health can also enhance that of the planet, say experts.
Read more
Entries open for inaugural Vitafoods Europe Innovation Awards
29 Jan 2025
Entries are open for the inaugural Vitafoods Europe Innovation Awards, celebrating the ingredients, finished products, partnerships, and initiatives redefining the nutraceutical landscape.
Read more
Paris Olympics: Food and beverage brands champion health, fun, and sustainability
5 Aug 2024
Food and beverage brands are aligning with the Paris Olympics 2024 Food Vision, which emphasises sustainability, local sourcing, and plant-based diets.
Read more
Natural Remedies: Bringing health and happiness via validated branded ingredients
18 Apr 2024
Natural Remedies is an internationally renowned botanical healthcare company committed to advancing the field through rigorous research and the development of clinically validated Branded Ingredients. Guided by our foundational principle of ‘BEING USEF...
Read more
Exploring the future of health and wellness retail at Vitafoods Europe
14 Mar 2024
With retail-focussed content sessions, buyer networking, and finished product tasting sessions, this year’s Vitafoods Europe offers a not-to-be-missed opportunity for retailers to up their health and wellness game.
Read more
Sustainability meets innovation at Fi Europe 2023's Sustainability Ingredients Zone
9 Jan 2024
Fi Europe’s Sustainable Ingredients Zone showcases ingredients forging a path toward a greener future. Three innovators are redefining what sustainability within the food and beverage industry means, with upcycled products, regenerative agriculture, an...
Read more
Unleashing the power of plants at Fi Europe’s New Product Zone
5 Jan 2024
In the diverse landscape of plant-based innovation, Fi Europe 2023's New Product Zone spotlighted ten plant-based ingredients, tailored to meet the rising demand for sustainable and delicious options.
Read more
Meet the innovative ingredients showcased at Fi Europe’s New Product Zone
3 Jan 2024
The Food Ingredients category at Fi Europe’s New Product Zone featured 19 distinct and innovative products. From fermented delights to sustainable proteins, these ingredients are ready to make their mark in the market.
Read more