{"id":8212,"date":"2026-04-22T14:44:53","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T14:44:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.healthoptibody.com\/?p=8212"},"modified":"2026-04-23T04:07:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T04:07:35","slug":"scientists-pinpoint-new-way-to-predict-dementia-parkinsons-and-motor-neurone-disease-risk-years-before-symptoms-develop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.healthoptibody.com\/?p=8212","title":{"rendered":"Scientists pinpoint new way to predict dementia, Parkinson’s and motor neurone disease risk – YEARS before symptoms develop"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Monitoring changes to proteins that live in the gut can identify people who are at a greater risk of\u00a0neurogenerative diseases, according to promising new research.<\/p>\n

In a major new study – published in the journal Gastroenterology – experts from the University of Aberdeen found that abnormal proteins linked to\u00a0Parkinson’s disease,\u00a0<\/span>Alzheimer’s<\/a> and motor neurone disease (MND) can\u00a0<\/span>be detected in gut tissue seven years before symptoms begin.<\/span><\/p>\n

These changes could help doctors spot at-risk patients years before they display clear symptoms, providing an opportunity to delay the onset of the diseases with\u00a0 early-intervention strategies and lifestyle changes.<\/p>\n

Professor Jenna Gregory, the study’s lead author said: ‘We are seeing clear evidence that the same pathological protein changes that occur in several neurodegenerative diseases can occur in the gut many years earlier than we previously recognised.<\/p>\n

‘This opens up entirely new possibilities for early detection and intervention.<\/p>\n

‘These conditions have long been diagnosed too late. We have learned that early detection is key to improving outcomes.<\/p>\n

‘This approach could shift the focus from reaction to early detection and disease prevention, where the greatest impact lies,’<\/p>\n

Dr Angus Watson, a colorectal surgeon at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness and study co-author added the findings could see routine tests repurposed to identify at-risk patients earlier.<\/p>\n

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The authors said the findings suggest that neurodegenerative disease processes are not confined to the brain, and can be spotted in the gut seven years before symptoms appear<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The University of Aberdeen team analysed gut biopsies from 196 participants aged 60 and over, who had unexplained digestive issues but were free from neurological disease.<\/p>\n

Participants were followed for around 14 years to track the development of neurological conditions over time.<\/p>\n

The team were looking for changes in three proteins associated with neurodegeneration: TOD-43, \u03b1-synuclein, and Tau – a toxic protein that is thought to be behind the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.<\/p>\n

Evidence of proteins not unfolding as they should was detected in 60 per cent of cases.<\/p>\n

Those with protein abnormalities were significantly more likely to develop non-Alzheimer’s dementias or conditions like Parkinson’s.<\/p>\n

Results showed gut biopsies were able to correctly spot disease in over 80 per cent of cases.<\/p>\n

Those with more of these faulty proteins tended to have lower chances of survival.<\/p>\n

Crucially, these changes in the gut could be seen seven years before symptoms emerged, suggesting a substantial window for potential early intervention.<\/p>\n