Excessive use of some antibiotics could increase an individual’s risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, according to a Finnish study.
The study by scientists at the University of Helsinki, found that the strongest associations were for broad spectrum antibiotics and those that act against anaerobic bacteria and fungi. The timing of antibiotic exposure was also relevant.
The suggestion is that excessive use can predispose to Parkinson’s disease, with a delay of up to 10 to 15 years and could be explained by their disruptive effects on the gut microbial ecosystem.
Research team leader Dr Filip Scheperjans, from the Department of Neurology of Helsinki University Hospital, said: “The link between antibiotic exposure and Parkinson’s disease fits the current view that in a significant proportion of patients the pathology of Parkinson’s may originate in the gut, possibly related to microbial changes, years before the onset of typical Parkinson motor symptoms such as slowness, muscle stiffness and shaking of the extremities.
“It was known that the bacterial composition of the intestine in Parkinson’s patients is abnormal, but the cause is unclear. Our results suggest that some commonly used antibiotics, which are known to strongly influence the gut microbiota, could be a predisposing factor.”
In the gut, pathological changes typical of Parkinson’s disease have been observed up to 20 years before diagnosis, with constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease all associated with a higher risk of its development.
Exposure to antibiotics has been shown to cause changes in the gut microbiome and their use is associated with an increased risk of several diseases, such as psychiatric disorders.
In this study, which is published in Movement Disorder, researchers compared antibiotic exposure between 1998 and 2014 in 13,976 Parkinson’s disease patients and compared it with 40,697 non-affected persons matched for the age, sex and place of residence.
Antibiotic exposure was examined over three time periods: one-five, five-10, and 10-15 years prior to the index date.
Dr Scheperjans added: “The discovery may also have implications for antibiotic prescribing practices in the future. In addition to the problem of antibiotic resistance, antimicrobial prescribing should also take into account their potentially long-lasting effects on the gut microbiome and the development of certain diseases.”
Mertsalmi TH, MD, Pekkonen E, Scheperjans F et al. Antibiotic exposure and risk of Parkinson’s disease in Finland: A nationwide case-control study. Movement Disorders 18 November 2019
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