[Sasha]

happened upon this and wonder what some of our more sophisticated thinkers might make of it. Apologies if this is old hat by now..... Kind of wondering if I should get checked for H. pylori? Thanks!

http://www.medical-hypotheses.com/ar...733-6/abstract

Volume 74, Issue 5, Pages 895-897 (May 2010)
Medical Hypotheses


Microbial endocrinology as a basis for improved l-DOPA bioavailability in Parkinson’s patients treated for Helicobacter pylori

Mark Lyte


Received 4 November 2009; accepted 4 November 2009. published online 04 December 2009.

Summary
Antibiotic therapy to eradicate Helicobacter pylori, the causative agent of gastric and duodenal ulcers, has been suggested to improve l-DOPA bioavailability in Parkinson’s and thereby improve patient symptomology. .... I propose the hypothesis, and provide initial data, that the mechanism of action is due to direct utilization of l-DOPA by H. pylori to maintain its ecological niche within the gastrointestinal tract.... data is presented which demonstrates for the first time the ability of l-DOPA to influence the in vitro growth of H. pylori... H. pylori utilization of l-DOPA for its own growth requirement reduces the amount of per orally administered l-DOPA that would be available to the patient for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease-related pathology. Neuroendocrine-mediated interactions with bacteria represent the emerging interdisciplinary field of microbial endocrinology. Thus, microbial endocrinology provides for a mechanism between l-DOPA and H. pylori with which to explain the purported benefit of H. pylori-directed antibiotic therapy to improve l-DOPA bioavailability in Parkinson’s patients and thereby improve drug therapy management.....

Thanks for your ideas.

Sasha

[Sasha]

In light of the abstract posted, it seems kind of relevant. I'm wondering if my doctor would laugh me out of the office?

Sasha

[soccertese]

interesting
nothing to lose by contacting the author and asking for a copy of the paper and their current opinion/work.

l-dopa is absorbed in the small intestine via active transport so i've always assumed absorption is the weak link in getting predictable l-dopa response.

[Conductor71]

Originally Posted by Sasha

In light of the abstract posted, it seems kind of relevant. I'm wondering if my doctor would laugh me out of the office?

Sasha

Sasha,

I think Rick is your man on this one. There have been numerous discussions or mentions in the forum archives

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ghlight=pylori

No one should make light of this. Current research has shown response even in cases of low-level infection and the response is sustained. Doctors should be ashamed for not even offering this as an option. Perhaps it is this: if the treatment fails somehow it results in a rapid decline in the patient- not sure if permanent nor how this might even happen.

I have thought about discussing with my doc too. Let us know how it goes...

Oh here is a must read; I'm willing to share the full text if you PM me.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19250506

Turns out there has long been a link historically between peptic ulcers and PD...

Laura

[Ronhutton]

Hi Sasha,
I can't claim to be a "sophisticated thinker" LOL, but I suppose I can claim to be a scientist!!
A couple of years ago, I tested positive for helicobacter pilori at a London Hospital. They treated me to erradicate it, and I improved to the point where I was able to halve my levodopa. Laura is right about the stomach ulcers being caused by the bacteria. The scientist who discovered HP was awarded a Nobel prize. The doctor shouldn't laugh you out of the office if he is sufficiently clued up.
Ron

[paula_w]

i had a chest/rib injury from a fall down a steep hill a few years ago and was otherwise not well from acid reflux. So i had an endoscopy and asked to be checked for that too. negative.

paula