Pesticides, gut bacteria, and Parkinson's disease
Microbiome, Environment, and Parkinsons disease (MEP) PESTICIDE EXPOSURES AND THE GUT MICROBIOME IN PARKINSONS DISEASE
Looking at whether pesticide exposure changes gut bacteria in people with Parkinson's and whether those changes relate to disease progression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11182620 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The research will compare gut bacteria in people with Parkinson's to their past pesticide exposure using California pesticide records and participants' address histories. Study teams will collect stool samples, medical records, and information about gut symptoms to measure microbiome composition and inflammation. They will analyze whether long-term pesticide exposures are linked to specific microbiome changes that could affect the nervous system and worsen Parkinson's. Findings could suggest ways to reduce risk or slow progression by targeting exposures or the microbiome.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with Parkinson's disease who can provide past residential histories and are willing to give stool samples and medical information.
Not a fit: People without Parkinson's or those unwilling to provide address history, stool samples, or medical records are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to environmental or microbiome-based strategies to prevent or slow Parkinson's progression.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have found gut microbiome differences in Parkinson's, but using pesticide exposure data to explain those differences is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ritz, Beate R. — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Ritz, Beate R.
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.