{"id":1674,"date":"2026-05-29T01:21:32","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T00:21:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/?page_id=1674"},"modified":"2026-05-29T10:39:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T09:39:36","slug":"parkinsons-disease-from-the-gut-to-the-brain","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/funded-projects\/completed-projects\/parkinsons-disease-from-the-gut-to-the-brain\/","title":{"rendered":"Impact Report  &#8211;  Parkinson&#8217;s Disease: From the gut to the brain"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\">Project Title:\u00a0<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>IMPACT Report: Parkinson&#8217;s Disease: From the gut to the brain<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>Project Partners:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Dr Shane Gordon, NICHE &#8211; Ulster University (PI)<\/li>\n<li>Dr Catherine Hughes, NICHE &#8211; Ulster University<\/li>\n<li>Professor Helene McNulty, NICHE &#8211; Ulster University<\/li>\n<li>Dr Michelle Clements, NICHE &#8211; Ulster University<\/li>\n<li>Dr Fiona Lithander, University of Auckland<\/li>\n<li>Dr Aakash Prasad, University of Auckland<\/li>\n<li>Richelle Flanagan, NutritionWise Ireland<\/li>\n<li>Willie Wixted, ABC Nutritionals<\/li>\n<li>Professor Kieran Tuohy, University of Leeds<\/li>\n<li>Dr Filippos Papadopoulos, Health Economist<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14pt\">Intended Project Outcomes:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This project, funded by the FMA-Impact award, aimed to foster collaboration between academic and industry partners in the creation of an Impact Report focused on influencing policy, specifically in the area of Nutrition and Parkinson\u2019s Disease (PD).\u00a0 The intended outcomes were the following<\/p>\n<p>Working Group<br \/>\nThe working group established was aimed at assessing the impacts of prebiotic and probiotic interventions on gut health and wellbeing in people with Parkinson\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n<p>Evidence Synthesis<br \/>\nWe aimed to consolidate and critically assess existing evidence from published clinical trials examining the effects of gut-modulating interventions on gut microbiota composition, gastrointestinal symptoms and mental health outcomes, thus improving quality of life in PwP.<\/p>\n<p>Health Economics and Cost-Effectiveness<br \/>\nWe intended to conduct an up-to-date cost-effectiveness analysis, comparing the costs associated with standard PD care in the UK and Ireland with costs related to the addition of nutritional interventions, and quantify potential cost savings for the NHS. Ultimately, our analysis aimed to demonstrate how nutritional strategies can alleviate the financial burden of PD, benefiting both the healthcare system, the PwP and wider society.<\/p>\n<p>Engagement with PD Stakeholders and Industry<br \/>\nOur project aligned with the aims of INFORM Hub to foster collaboration between academics, industry partners and PD stakeholders to consolidate existing evidence on the role of functional foods in managing gut health for PwP. To facilitate knowledge exchange, a patient and public (PPI) event would be used to gather their perspectives from PwP, ensuring the IMPACT Report findings are relevant and aligned with their needs. To strengthen academic\u2013industry collaboration and lay the foundation for future grant applications, support future innovations in product development and help with translational research in nutritional strategies for PD.<\/p>\n<p>Personally, as an early career researcher, my intended outcomes were to: gain hands-on experience of leading a project, from planning through to completion; build networks with industry and academic partners in food, nutrition and health; develop a range of generic research skills as well as specific knowledge in nutrition and PD.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>Project Objectives:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The project objectives were successfully met, culminating in the development of a comprehensive Impact Report examining the role of probiotic interventions in improving gastrointestinal health and quality of life in PwP. These experiences have not only deepened my expertise in nutrition and PD but have also demonstrated my capacity to lead and manage research projects independently, delivering outputs across multidisciplinary settings.<\/p>\n<p>First, we established a robust working group &#8211; including experts in microbiology, health economics, and nutrition \u2013 alongside our industry partner ABC Nutritionals and PD patient advocate Richelle Flanagan. This transdisciplinary approach ensured that the Impact Report is scientifically rigorous, commercially viable, and grounded in the lived experience of PwP.<\/p>\n<p>The project consolidated and critically assessed evidence from published clinical trials examining the effects of gut-modulating interventions on gastrointestinal health (constipation) and quality of life in PwP. We conducted a meta-analysis, which indicated that probiotic interventions helped PwP to have one additional bowel movement per week alongside modest improvements in quality of life.<\/p>\n<p>In collaboration with Health Economist Dr Filippos Papadopoulos, the project delivered a high-level cost-effectiveness analysis. Economic modelling indicated that a probiotic supplementation programme delivered to 1,000 PwP could generate approximately 9,000 additional \u201cgood-health\u201d days annually. The intervention was estimated to cost approximately \u00a32,400 per QALY gained, substantially below the willingness-to-pay threshold used by the National Health Service, and was associated with estimated cost offsets of \u00a32\u20133 million per year due to reduced laxative use.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, the project facilitated knowledge exchange through stakeholder engagement and PPI activities. Our PPI findings identified significant unmet nutrition-related needs among PwP, including persistent constipation, food affordability issues, and limited access to dietetic services. Moreover, the project strengthened collaboration between academia and our industry partner ABC Nutritionals, establishing a strong foundation for future research and funding applications focused on nutritional strategies for PwP.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>Professional Development:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>As an early career researcher, the development of this Impact Report has been a transformative milestone, significantly strengthening my ability to translate complex scientific evidence into policy-relevant impact. Through the experience of this project, I developed my leadership and project management skills by heading a multidisciplinary working group that spanned academia, health economics, industry, and PD stakeholders. I took full responsibility for coordinating cross-sector contributions, overseeing project milestones, and integrating high-level feedback, all while maintaining a rigorous focus on our delivery timelines.<br \/>\nAlthough our health economist conducted the formal economic modelling, I worked very closely with him in this analysis and was able to gain valuable insight into how cost-effectiveness analysis adds strategic value to nutrition and health research. I developed a clearer understanding of how health gains are quantified, how NHS willingness-to-pay thresholds are interpreted, and how economic framing strengthens the policy relevance of an impact report.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>Project Achievements\/Outputs:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/297\/2026\/05\/PD-Impact-Report-2026.pdf\">PD Impact Report 2026<\/a> &lt;&lt; Download a copy of the Impact Report: Parkinson&#8217;s Disease:\u00a0 From Gut to Brain<\/p>\n<p>Future plans focus on continued dissemination, further stakeholder engagement, and progression towards further research. The findings have already been presented at two Parkinson\u2019s events, a research-focused event and another for newly diagnosed individuals.<\/p>\n<p>The Impact Report will be presented at the Nutrition Society Conference, hosted by Ulster University Coleraine (June 2026), enabling dissemination to the nutrition scientific community. We also aim to disseminate the report to key stakeholders, including policymakers, to increase awareness of the potential role of gut-modulating nutritional strategies for PwP. For this purpose, we hope to interact with the INFORM Hub network to help us reach significant policymakers, ultimately aiming for parliamentary visibility.<\/p>\n<p>The report will further support discussions with food industry partners on opportunities to develop (or reformulate) functional food products targeting gastrointestinal health in PwP. In parallel, the findings will inform future grant applications aimed at conducting larger-scale clinical studies evaluating biotic interventions in PwP.<\/p>\n<p>MAY 2025<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Project Title:\u00a0 IMPACT Report: Parkinson&#8217;s Disease: From the gut to the brain Project Partners: Dr Shane Gordon, NICHE &#8211; Ulster University (PI) Dr Catherine Hughes, NICHE &#8211; Ulster University Professor&#8230;<a class=\"read-more\" href=\"&#104;&#116;&#116;&#112;&#115;&#58;&#47;&#47;&#114;&#101;&#115;&#101;&#97;&#114;&#99;&#104;&#46;&#114;&#101;&#97;&#100;&#105;&#110;&#103;&#46;&#97;&#99;&#46;&#117;&#107;&#47;&#105;&#110;&#102;&#111;&#114;&#109;&#45;&#105;&#110;&#110;&#111;&#118;&#97;&#116;&#105;&#111;&#110;&#45;&#104;&#117;&#98;&#47;&#102;&#117;&#110;&#100;&#101;&#100;&#45;&#112;&#114;&#111;&#106;&#101;&#99;&#116;&#115;&#47;&#99;&#111;&#109;&#112;&#108;&#101;&#116;&#101;&#100;&#45;&#112;&#114;&#111;&#106;&#101;&#99;&#116;&#115;&#47;&#112;&#97;&#114;&#107;&#105;&#110;&#115;&#111;&#110;&#115;&#45;&#100;&#105;&#115;&#101;&#97;&#115;&#101;&#45;&#102;&#114;&#111;&#109;&#45;&#116;&#104;&#101;&#45;&#103;&#117;&#116;&#45;&#116;&#111;&#45;&#116;&#104;&#101;&#45;&#98;&#114;&#97;&#105;&#110;&#47;\">Read More ><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":711,"featured_media":0,"parent":1612,"menu_order":7,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"__cvm_playback_settings":[],"__cvm_video_id":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"coauthors":[13],"class_list":["post-1674","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1674","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/711"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1674"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1674\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1700,"href":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1674\/revisions\/1700"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1612"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1674"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/inform-innovation-hub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=1674"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}