What is the Gut Biome Research 2024?
Queensland’s leading neurologists are about to launch a groundbreaking clinical trial, aimed at slowing the progression of Parkinson’s Disease by focusing on the gut microbiome. Human trials are set to commence within weeks, marking a significant step forward in Parkinson’s treatment.
The upcoming clinical trial at Brisbane’s Translational Research Institute (TRI) builds on new evidence linking Parkinson’s and imbalances gut bacterial imbalances.
Associate Professor Richard Gordon, along with his team from the QUT School of Biomedical Sciences, has been awarded $4 million in grants from the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. Their research focuses on developing engineered microbes as live biotherapeutics to change the gut ecosystem and activate protective mechanisms in the brain.
Recruitment Details
Recruitment for the microbiome study will begin in August, inviting both Parkinson’s patients and healthy individuals to be involved. Participants will be asked to provide a blood sample and use a take-home microbiome kit that they can send back to the research team.
Who is Involved in the Gut Biome Research 2024?
This project involves collaboration with neurologists from Royal Brisbane and Women’s and Princess Alexandra hospitals, including Associate Professor John O’Sullivan, Dr. Robert Adam, and TRI-based Associate Professor Alex Lehn, who also has roles at Metro South Health and QUT. Professor Alex Lehn also serves as a Management Committee member at Parkinson’s Queensland. The team will also collaborate with researchers at the Isakson Centre for Neurological Disease Research at the University of Georgia in the US.
How to get involved
Professor Gordon stressed the importance of study participants, stating, “Our study participants are at the heart of our research.” He highlighted that their data suggest crucial pathways in Parkinson’s patients that maintain gut health and protect against harmful inflammation. Instead of the current strategy of blocking immune pathways already activated, this research seeks to restore gut health and resolve immune activation through the gut, protecting neurons from damage.
If you would like to participate in the research, visit the QUT Research Participation Page below, or contact Schible Kurian at 3443 7234 or via email at schible.kurian@health.qld.gov.au.
