Living with Parkinson’s
Understanding how the digestive tract moves
in PD could help us correlate gut motility to
other symptoms, such as poor nutrition or
weight loss, and target treatments better.
are somewhat limited. For
swallowing problems, a speech
therapist provides exercises
to strengthen the swallowing
muscles and suggests diet
changes or techniques
to improve swallowing.
Researchers are testing
various therapies, including
group singing, swallowing and
breathing exercise programs, and
non-invasive brain stimulation
using magnetic fields.
Treatment of slowed stomach
emptying revolves around
dietary changes, such as
eating smaller, more frequent
meals with lots of water.
Unfortunately, few drug
treatments exist. Reglan
(metoclopramide) is off-limits
in PD because it can worsen
motor symptoms, and other
options can bring about side
effects or face restricted
access, including the antibiotic
erythromycin or domperidone.
(Domperidone is not U.S. Food
and Drug Administration-
approved but is sometimes used
for PD-associated nausea and
may be available by physician
request.) An MJFF-funded drug
that stimulates gut movement
is in Phase I testing and could
provide a desperately needed
treatment option for people
with PD.
Constipation management
involves regular exercise,
dietary adjustments (increasing
water and fiber intake) and,
when recommended by your
doctor, stool softeners or
laxatives. Broader options,
including an MJFF-funded fiber
supplement that “fertilizes”
good gut bacteria (now in Phase
II testing), may be on the way.
STUDYING THE GUT
TO LEARN ABOUT
PARKINSON’S
Understanding how the
digestive tract moves in PD
could help us correlate gut
motility to other symptoms,
such as poor nutrition or
weight loss, and target
treatments better. MJFF-
funded researchers are using a
The medical information contained in this newsletter is for general
information purposes only. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s
Research has a policy of refraining from advocating, endorsing or
promoting any drug therapy, course of treatment, or specific company
or institution. It is crucial that care and treatment decisions related
to Parkinson’s disease and any other medical condition be made in
consultation with a physician or other qualified medical professional.
13
Spring/Summer 2018
swallowed wireless capsule to
measure speed and strength of
gut muscle contractions and
see how these change as disease
progresses.
Other investigators are looking
for clues in the trillions of
bacteria that line the digestive
tract (the microbiome).
Differences in gut bacteria may
help separate people with and
without PD and even subgroups
within Parkinson’s (people with
predominant tremor vs. walking
and balance problems, for
example). MJFF is partnering
with genetics testing company
23andMe to further explore the
microbiome’s connection to
Parkinson’s.
MJFF also is supporting
research to measure gut alpha-
synuclein (the same protein
that clumps in the brain cells of
everyone with PD) in efforts
to diagnose disease earlier,
track progression and measure
benefits of alpha-synuclein
therapies in clinical testing.