Did You Know!
Parkinson’s Disease May Start in the Gut — Not the Brain
For decades, Parkinson’s disease was thought to begin strictly in the brain.
But growing research suggests it may actually start in the digestive tract.
Scientists have found abnormal clumps of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the gut years before motor symptoms appear. Some researchers believe these proteins may travel along the vagus nerve from the gut to the brain.
Interestingly, many Parkinson’s patients report chronic constipation years before tremors begin — possibly one of the earliest warning signs.
The gut-brain connection continues to reshape how scientists understand neurodegenerative disease.
