Microbiome and Diet in Parkinson's Disease

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA · Jan 5, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, titled "Microbiome and Diet in Parkinson's Disease," is investigating how a specific diet, inspired by Mediterranean eating habits, can affect people living with Parkinson's Disease (PD) over an 18-month period. Research suggests that Mediterranean diets may lower the risk of developing PD and help those already diagnosed live longer. The study aims to see if participants can easily follow this diet and how it might change their gut health and PD symptoms compared to a standard diet.

To participate, individuals must be between 40 and 80 years old, have a confirmed diagnosis of Parkinson's without dementia, and be able to attend six visits at the University of British Columbia (UBC) over the study period. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the Mediterranean diet group or the standard diet group. They can expect in-person visits, online coaching, and cooking classes to support their dietary changes. This pilot study is also looking at how well they can recruit and keep participants for a larger future study.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Eligible if the person living with Parkinson's has/is:
• • 1. a clinical diagnosis of PD,
• • 2. cognitively stable (no clinical dementia),
• • 3. between 40-80 years old,
• • 4. able to travel to UBC for 6 onsite visits over 18 months,
• • 5. sufficient English proficiency (coaching and cooking classes are in English only),
• • 6. on a stable dopaminergic medication for at least one month before baseline,
• • 7. computer and internet access at home, and can be available via video link for at least 80% of the study sessions.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• Not eligible, if person has/is:
• • 1. a diagnosis of atypical parkinsonism,
• • 2. medical or psychiatric conditions that would prevent full participation in the nutrition intervention (such as food allergies), significant dysphagia, diabetes on insulin, anti-coagulation on warfarin, and inflammatory bowel disease,
• • 3. clinical dementia,
• • 4. unable to complete questionnaires or understand study instructions,
• • 5. using of immunomodulatory agents,
• • 6. used Probiotics in the last 4 weeks prior to study start,
• • 7. used Antibiotics in the last 3 months prior to study start,
• • 8. contraindications for MRI.