Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium commonly found in the gastric epithelium. Infection of the gastrointestinal tract by Helicobacter pylori results in gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer.

Recently, it has been found that Helicobacter pylori infection also causes fluctuation in motor functions among patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Helicobacter Pylori is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium found in the stomach. Image Credit: Tatiana Shepeleva

What is Helicobacter pylori?

Helicobacter pylori is a common bacterium, first discovered by Warren and Marshall in 1983. It usually infects the luminal surface of the gastric epithelium and causes inflammation of the gastric mucosa.

The common signs and symptoms of a Helicobacter pylori infection include stomach ache, burning sensation in the abdomen, nausea, frequent burping, loss of appetite, weight loss, and bloating.

Although many people with Helicobacter pylori infection show no particular illness, it can sometimes result in serious complications, such as gastritis, stomach and small intestinal ulcers, and gastric cancer. In most cases, patients with Helicobacter pylori infection are treated with antibiotics.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection Among PD Patients

An association between PD and gastric ulcer was first established in 1960. Later on, several scientific studies have revealed that the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection is significantly higher among PD patients.

In this regard, a recent cohort study involving general Taiwanese population has shown that the incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection is significantly higher in PD patients over 60 years of age; in addition, the study reports that both men and women are equally susceptible to Helicobacter pylori infection.

Several case-control studies have revealed that the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection is five times higher in PD patients over 80 years of age, and three times higher in PD patients compared to healthy individuals.

One large cohort study involving the Danish population has revealed that the use of drugs to eradicate Helicobacter pylori infection and of proton pump inhibitors (for treating gastritis) for 5 or more years before the diagnosis of PD increases the risk of PD onset by 45% and 23%, respectively.

These findings clearly indicate that chronic Helicobacter pylori infection and/or gastritis significantly increases the risk of developing PD.   

Pathogenic Mechanism

Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and the development of PD.

One such hypothesis states that Helicobacter pylori infection increases the level of cholesterol glucosides, which act as neurotoxins and increase the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the brain.

A second hypothesis proposes that, in the case of uncontrolled Helicobacter pylori infection, Helicobacter pylori can cause direct damage to the dopaminergic neurons and result in the development of PD.

In addition, Helicobacter pylori infection-induced peripheral inflammation can potentially increase the level of circulating pro-inflammatory mediators, which can cross the blood-brain barrier, activate microglia, and subsequently trigger neurodegeneration.

Several studies have identified impaired drug absorption to be the main cause of HP-mediated development of PD is. It is believed that Helicobacter pylori affects the absorption of drugs necessary to treat PD by altering the pH level of the gastrointestinal tract.

This not only precipitates the development of PD but also causes motor function in PD patients to become erratic. It has been found that antibiotic-mediated eradication of Helicobacter pylori increases drug bioavailability by increasing its absorption by 21 to 54%.

Helicobacter pylori eradication has also been shown to reduce motor fluctuations, tremors, and muscle rigidity, as well as improve locomotion in PD patients.

Further Reading

• All Helicobacter pylori Content
• Helicobacter Pylori Tests
• Helicobacter pylori Life Cycle
• All Parkinson's Disease Content
• What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Written by

Dr. Sanchari Sinha Dutta

Dr. Sanchari Sinha Dutta is a science communicator who believes in spreading the power of science in every corner of the world. She has a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree and a Master's of Science (M.Sc.) in biology and human physiology. Following her Master's degree, Sanchari went on to study a Ph.D. in human physiology. She has authored more than 10 original research articles, all of which have been published in world renowned international journals.