THIS IS HUGE-- May be first drug therapy to alter progression of disease in PD
New Study- reaffirming the gut-brain connection

Quantifying rigidity of Parkinson's disease in relation to laxative treatment: a service evaluation -- British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology- -Volume 82, Issue 2;August 2016:441-450-Wiley Online Library

Conclusion from authors- "The immediate therapeutic implication is that maintenance laxatives are disease-modifying in PD. "

Facts-
Bad belly-especially constipation-worse PD symptoms
Multiple reports of antibiotics resulting in worsening PD symptoms-often irreversible


Study Specifics-Retrospective (79 patients)- London- with rigidity scores looked at approx 10 years before and 10 years after laxatives -- very strong association between beginning laxatives-- first fiber or osmotic (eg Miralex) -if not effective novel agents-- both approved in UK-Prucalopride (Resolor) and more recently Linaclotide-US too- (Linzess) and stabilization of extensor rigidity- the effect never waned

Also validated- course of antibiotics worsens PD rigidity-often irreversible

My Conclusions ( MD with PD- not a neurologist)--ask your PMD-

1) if you are constipated-make sure you treat it effectively
2) take antibiotics only when necessary


I think this is incredibly exciting!!!!



**Adding Reference Links for those interested in more information:

Wiley Online Quantifying rigidity of Parkinson's disease in relation to laxative treatment: a service evaluation - Augustin - 216 - British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology - Wiley Online Library

PubMed Quantifying rigidity of Parkinson's disease in relation to laxative treatment: a service evaluation. - PubMed - NCBI