How pesticide exposure and gut bacteria may affect Parkinson's disease
Interaction of Pyrethroid Exposure and the Microbiome on Parkinson's Disease related Pathologies
['FUNDING_R01'] · EMORY UNIVERSITY · NIH-11232290
This project looks at whether common pyrethroid pesticide exposure together with changes in gut bacteria can make Parkinson's disease symptoms or brain changes worse in people.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | EMORY UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ATLANTA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11232290 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you have Parkinson's or worry about risk, this research focuses on how pesticide exposure and shifts in gut bacteria might cause early intestinal problems that later affect the brain. Researchers will use laboratory models and microbiome analyses to see how pyrethroid pesticides change the intestine, bacterial genes, and inflammation before brain damage appears. They will compare those gut changes with Parkinson's-related brain and motor changes to trace possible links from the gut to the brain. The aim is to clarify whether gut microbiome changes driven by pesticides help trigger or worsen Parkinson's-related pathology.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Parkinson's disease, those with early gastrointestinal symptoms, or individuals with significant pesticide exposure history would be the most relevant groups for this line of research.
Not a fit: People without Parkinson's risk factors or whose symptoms are unrelated to gut changes or environmental exposures may not directly benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal gut-related mechanisms linking pesticide exposure to Parkinson's and point to new ways to prevent or slow disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies show that gut inflammation and dysbiosis can worsen Parkinson's-like brain pathology, but combining pyrethroid exposure with microbiome-focused analyses is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
ATLANTA, UNITED STATES
- EMORY UNIVERSITY — ATLANTA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SAMPSON, TIMOTHY ROBERT — EMORY UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: SAMPSON, TIMOTHY ROBERT
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.