Has anyone seen this? Comments and advice would be gratefully received:

http://natmednews.posterous.com/faec...s-of-parkinson

Also you can do a Google Search using the term "faecal transplant" for more surprises

Kenki

Thanks for raising this.

I thought the article in New Scientist was important. So, I was suprised to get no response when I posted on the issue two weeks ago.

IF (and I repeat IF) the cause of PD is toxins produced by an individual's specific gut micro-flora, then changing this offers, at the least, the possibility of a decrease in the rate of progression. As a partial measure it might reduce constipation.

Given the number of dopaminergic neurones in the gut and the connection between the enteric nervous system and the brain, the hypothesis would explain both the motor and non-motor symptoms of PD and the progression of symptoms (Braak).

Unfortunately, I could find little in the literature to add to that in the article.

A less radical approach would be to try to alter one's gut micro-flora by diet. Is this possible?

As a simple test I've tried drinking a litre of homemade probiotic yogurt a day for a week, but I've found no difference in symptoms. Are there more direct tests to detect changes that you can do at home (e.g. microscope)?

John

This is from a clinician who specialises in treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Will this help?


See

http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Faecal_bacteriotherapy

Thanks John

Kenki



It would only be worth considering if you had no bacteroides........

Perhaps it also answers some questions on the increase in people with PD, including the younger people. Perhaps the overuse of antibiotics has contributed to this...

An interesting study, but perhaps it touches on some taboos that people are unwilling to discuss? Maybe one reason why no responses.......

Lindy

"Many religious people believe the feacus to have a soul and US tax dollars will not be spent upon their destruction.......? What?? Oh. Never mind.... " Roseanne Roseanna Danna

OK, I'll be serious. This is an interesting way to account for the anecdotes of symptoms disappearing within days of starting an antibiotic only to return upon cessation.

It also provides an alternative look at the work of Dobbs and others which shows an improvement in PD upon the eradication of H pylori. It may not be the HP at all.

There are some pretty powerful probiotics out there. Jarrow makes a particularly strong one. I wonder if just introducing known beneficial microbes would have effect....?
-Rick

Rick, you have not tried probiotics yet? Why not? If so, how did they work out for you, if you noticed a difference? I'm intrigued by this because it sounds like something you could maybe try in the privacy of your home, not that I'm recommending that to anyone...

I'm curious about the probiotics but am guessing that they would not have any noticeable effect unless h pylori had been eradicated first?

Could it possibly be that the constipation produces toxins in the gut that consist of a small enough molecule to be absorbed through the blood brain barrier???? Or maybe just some people have this deficiency of either the BBB or the gut.

I do hope this is given a lot more thought! Does anyone know of other neurological syndromes caused by malabsorption?
Peggy

Dear reverett123, you mentioned a pdf on probiotics in a 2/7/2011 post, thread was on FMT. is it possible to get copy of the pdf? do you have any further info on FMT/Parkinsons? Trying to help my Dad, possibly myself someday.
I'm sure you're busy, thank you in advance for any help or pointers in the right direction.
Best,
Abraham

Cs

There is an uproar here in Burnaby where Faceal Transplants have been done at Burnaby General for a couple of years now. Great results have been found, but the govt has put a stop on them till the old usual bs has taken place re more results validated. But the high spot is that they are being done now at the Toronto General and I do beleive Parkinsons is inclusive. you try and I will as well and lets see what we find. Take care Thelma

Thelma,

Do you have any idea how many PWP have been treated there with faceal transplant? And if so, with what results? Thanks.

I notice the PWP in Australia that was discussed in the article cited above did not get the faceal transplant-he was given antibiotics. I wonder if he still takes them (long term use of antibiotics has been a topic of discussion here before, with the general consensus being it's not a good idea, if I remember correctly), so whether they've treated any PWP in Australia with this transplant would be great to know as well.