Monitoring changes to proteins that live in the gut can identify people who are at a greater risk of neurogenerative diseases, according to promising new research.
In a major new study – published in the journal Gastroenterology – experts from the University of Aberdeen found that abnormal proteins linked to Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s and motor neurone disease (MND) can be detected in gut tissue seven years before symptoms begin.
These changes could help doctors spot at-risk patients years before they display clear symptoms, providing an opportunity to delay the onset of the diseases with early-intervention strategies and lifestyle changes.
Professor Jenna Gregory, the study’s lead author said: ‘We are seeing clear evidence that the same pathological protein changes that occur in several neurodegenerative diseases can occur in the gut many years earlier than we previously recognised.
‘This opens up entirely new possibilities for early detection and intervention.
‘These conditions have long been diagnosed too late. We have learned that early detection is key to improving outcomes.
‘This approach could shift the focus from reaction to early detection and disease prevention, where the greatest impact lies,’
Dr Angus Watson, a colorectal surgeon at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness and study co-author added the findings could see routine tests repurposed to identify at-risk patients earlier.
The authors said the findings suggest that neurodegenerative disease processes are not confined to the brain, and can be spotted in the gut seven years before symptoms appear
The University of Aberdeen team analysed gut biopsies from 196 participants aged 60 and over, who had unexplained digestive issues but were free from neurological disease.
Participants were followed for around 14 years to track the development of neurological conditions over time.
The team were looking for changes in three proteins associated with neurodegeneration: TOD-43, α-synuclein, and Tau – a toxic protein that is thought to be behind the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
Evidence of proteins not unfolding as they should was detected in 60 per cent of cases.
Those with protein abnormalities were significantly more likely to develop non-Alzheimer’s dementias or conditions like Parkinson’s.
Results showed gut biopsies were able to correctly spot disease in over 80 per cent of cases.
Those with more of these faulty proteins tended to have lower chances of survival.
Crucially, these changes in the gut could be seen seven years before symptoms emerged, suggesting a substantial window for potential early intervention.
The team – who collaborated with clinicians at NHS Grampian and Highland – hopes their findings will lead to new screening strategies, allowing doctors to not only identify at-risk individuals, but monitor treatment response more closely.
Prof Gregory added: ‘The study highlights the urgent need for better detection tools for neurodegenerative diseases.
‘Many of these conditions still lack effective treatment options, making early detection and scalable screening approaches especially important for improving patient outcomes.
‘We hope this helps move early detection and prevention strategies to the forefront in neurodegenerative disease,’ she concluded.
More than 166,000 people in the UK now live with Parkinson’s, with cases doubling worldwide in the past 25 years.
Its caused by a loss of nerve cells in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra which is responsible for producing dopamine, a hormone which helps co-ordinate movement.
This progressive brain damage leads to tremors, mobility issues and muscle stiffness that worsens over time.
There is currently no cure, but some drugs can bolster dopamine levels, helping to alleviate symptoms, alongside physiotherapy and surgery.
Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria star Eric Danes died 10 months after confirming he had been diagnosed with ALS – the most common form of MND
Similarly, there are currently no treatments that can stop MND in its tracks – with doctors forced to focus on alleviating the worst of the symptoms.
Around 5,000 adults in the UK suffer from the condition, with a one in 300 risk of developing it over the course of a lifetime.
Life expectancy for around half of those with a diagnosis is between just two and five years from the onset of symptoms.
Again, the disease causes muscle weakness that progressively gets worse. Over time, MND sufferers may experience problems breathing, swallowing and speaking.
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Eventually, they will no longer be able to walk or move.
And by 2050, it is thought that two million people will be living with dementia in the UK, according to Alzheimer’s Europe.
Whilst further work is needed to validate the University of Aberdeen’s study, experts have labeled the findings ‘important.’
Lisa Duthie, NHS Grampian Charity Lead, said: ‘The incredible work carried out by the team as part of this study offers huge potential for earlier screening and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
‘These diseases can have a devastating impact, not just on the patients themselves, but on their families and friends too.
‘With incidences of neurodegenerative diseases increasing, research like this which shines the spotlight on early diagnosis and intervention is becoming even more important.’
