Parkinson's and the Gut Microbiome - recording of PD Frontline webinar on the PD Biome Sub-Study

To understand the PD Biome Sub-Study, it is helpful to first understand the wider research programme that it forms part of.

The PD Frontline study is led by Professor Tony Schapira and his team at the Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, University College London Queen Square Institute of Neurology.

Most cases of Parkinson's disease are described as idiopathic, meaning there is no known cause. However, around 10% of cases are associated with specific genetic variants. PD Frontline aims to identify these genetic forms of Parkinson's through genetic testing, helping researchers better understand the biological pathways involved and paving the way for more targeted treatments.

One of the major studies supported by PD Frontline is the ASPro-PD Phase III Ambroxol trial. This landmark clinical trial is investigating whether ambroxol can slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. All participants in ASPro-PD must first undergo PD Frontline genetic testing before they can be enrolled.

The PD Biome Sub-Study is a further extension of this research. It is investigating whether differences in the gut microbiome, the community of bacteria living in the digestive tract, can help predict Parkinson's disease in people carrying GBA gene variants. Researchers will compare biological samples from people with GBA variants, their healthy relatives or spouses, and people with Parkinson's disease to better understand the role of the gut microbiome in disease development and progression.

What this webinar covers:

• Professor Tony Schapira - Exploring the relationship between the gut microbiome and Parkinson's disease, including key findings from our recently published paper
• Milly Anderson - Introducing the PD Biome study, which over 300 members of our cohort have participated in and has contributed to the research being presented by Professor Schapira.
• Georgie Pittwood - Sharing PD Frontline's future communication plans and how Ambassador feedback is helping to shape our approach.
• Live Q&A Session - Following the presentations, there will be an opportunity to ask questions to the team during a live Q&A session.

02:16 - Milly Anderson: Introducing the PD Biome study, which over 300 members of the PD Frontline cohort have participated in and has contributed to the research being presented by Prof. Schapira.
06:22 - Prof. Tony Schapira: Exploring the relationship between the gut microbiome and Parkinson's disease, including key findings from our recently published paper.
16:08 - Gut Microbiome Q&A
28:22 - Georgie Pittwood: Sharing PD Frontline's future communication plans and how Ambassador feedback is helping to shape our approach.
35:21 - General Q&A

Get in touch if you would like to join this research: pdbiome@ucl.ac.uk