Researchers at Australia's Translational Research Institute (TRI) will utilize its state-of-the-art facilities including the Clinical Research Facility (CRF) for patient recruitment and sample collection the Gnotobiotic Facility for microbiome-focused studies and the Biological Research Facilities for testing novel therapeutics.

Patient recruitment for the microbiome study is expected to begin around August and will include individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) as well as healthy volunteers. Participants will provide a routine blood sample at TRI’s CRF and receive a take-home microbiome kit to collect samples which can be mailed back to the research team.

These patient samples will serve as the foundation for our microbiome research program and the development of new treatment strategies said Associate Professor Gordon. Our study participants are central to our research efforts.

Currently there are no effective treatments to halt the progression of Parkinson’s disease. PD, which impacts millions globally is the fastest-growing neurological disorder worldwide. Its increasing prevalence has been associated with chemical exposures linked to industries like farming firefighting and the military.

Emerging evidence highlights a strong connection between Parkinson’s disease and gut microbiome imbalances which drive chronic inflammation and immune system activation  Associate Professor Gordon explained. This prolonged inflammation has been shown to damage dopamine-producing neurons, which are progressively lost in individuals with Parkinson’s.

The research team includes neurologists from the Royal Brisbane and Women’s and Princess Alexandra Hospitals such as Associate Professor John O’Sullivan, Dr. Robert Adam, and TRI-based Associate Professor Alex Lehn who also holds positions with Metro South Health and QUT. They are collaborating with researchers at the Isakson Centre for Neurological Disease Research at the University of Georgia, USA.

Our findings indicate that the pathways we’ve identified in Parkinson’s patients play a key role in maintaining gut health and act as a protective mechanism to limit harmful inflammation in healthy individuals  Associate Professor Gordon stated.

Rather than simply blocking activated immune pathways, our research aims to restore gut health and resolve immune activation via the gut preventing damage to vulnerable neurons.

Source: https://www.metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au/about-us/news/pa-hospital/funding-for-parkinsons-disease-treatments-targeting-the-gut-microbiome