Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Academic Institute

CPRD883

Recent studies have suggested that factors that lead to disruption of gut bacteria might play a critical role in triggering Parkinson’s disease (PD)1. Antibiotic exposure is a key source of disruption of gut bacteria. We propose a robust epidemiologic study to examine the potential association between antibiotic exposure and PD risk. Given that there are no therapies for PD that slow down disease progression, it is critical to identify factors that increase the risk of developing the disease. The primary objective of this study is to determine whether use of specific oral antibiotics increases the risk of PD. Based on prior data,2 we hypothesize that exposure to one or more courses of antianaerobics and tetracyclines (specific classes of antibiotics) is associated with an increased risk of PD. These factors include co-existing conditions, smoking, coffee consumption, healthcare usage, and the specific indication for antibiotic use. If antibiotics are identified as a risk factor for PD, future research can focus on methods to modify the use and impact of antibiotics with the goal of reducing how PD prevalence and reducing complications associated with the disease. If no association is detected, this study will provide important reassurance regarding antibiotic use and PD risk.

Studies have posited that exogenous factors such as antibiotics, that lead to disruption of the intestinal microbiome (dysbiosis), might play a critical role in triggering Parkinson’s disease (PD). A recent study in Finland by Mertsalmi et al. (2019) suggested that healthy individuals who received one or more courses of antibiotics had an increased risk of PD approximately 10-15 years after exposure.

07/01/2021

Release