Queensland researchers are embarking on a groundbreaking new trial to treat Parkinson’s disease.
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00 It's at this lab behind me that a team of scientists have been working to develop a
00:06 novel approach to treating Parkinson's disease.
00:10 Around 50 Australians are diagnosed with the neurological condition every day in Australia
00:15 and that's why the team of scientists at the Translational Research Institute are looking
00:20 at developing new ways of treating the condition.
00:23 There is emerging evidence to suggest that poor gut health in people with Parkinson's
00:27 disease could be linked to inflammation which eventually damages their neurons which produce
00:32 dopamine.
00:33 That's why scientists have been investigating a new way to treat the disease by targeting
00:37 the gut microbiome.
00:40 Scientists here will be conducting human trials and animal studies in an attempt to develop
00:44 treatments which would restore gut health and prevent damage to the neurons.
00:49 The prevalence of Parkinson's disease has been growing worldwide and it's believed to
00:53 be linked to chemical exposures from industries and occupations like farming, firefighting
00:59 and the military.
01:00 That's why the US Department of Defence is backing this Brisbane based research with
01:04 $4 million in funding.
01:07 It's hoped that a breakthrough here will help change the lives of millions of people around
01:12 the world diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
01:14 [BLANK_AUDIO]