New research suggests that harmful bacteria in the mouth may contribute to the development of Parkinson’s disease. Scientists in South Korea have found that Streptococcus mutans, a common bacteria associated with cavities, can move from the mouth to the gut, where it produces compounds that can enter the bloodstream and affect the brain. These bacterial products have been shown to destroy dopamine-producing neurons involved in movement.
In animal studies, this process caused brain inflammation, motor impairment, and accumulation of alpha-synuclein, a protein strongly associated with Parkinson’s disease. The findings provide a biological explanation for how changes in the gut microbiome can affect brain health and neurodegeneration.
The study was led by researchers from POSTECH, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, and Seoul National University College of Medicine. The results suggest that maintaining good oral and gut health may play a role in protecting the brain and reducing the risk of neurological diseases.
Source: Nature Communications
This article is in Journal of Wellbeing 222
