Imagine the brain as a bustling city, with different neighborhoods representing stages of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. In these neighborhoods, we have two troublemakers: β-amyloid and α-synuclein proteins. But here’s the twist – these troublemakers also have some hidden talents, like being able to fight off microbes! Scientists believe that these diseases may be influenced by microbial activity, including bacteria that we typically associate with gum disease. To investigate further, researchers used a fancy technique called high resolution 16S rRNA gene Next Generation Sequencing (16SNGS) to study the bacterial composition in different brain areas affected by AD and PD. What they found is fascinating! Bacteria were present throughout the brain, with each neighborhood having its own unique mix. Surprisingly, the early disease area showed distinct differences in bacterial content compared to later stages. This suggests that microbes might contribute differently at different stages of these diseases. Curious to know more? Dive into the research to explore the complex relationship between the brain and its microbial residents!
The Institute for the Future of Human Potential
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