Neurodegenerative
Artizan also has a paradigm-changing second program in Parkinson’s Disease.
More than 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), which is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States, affecting an estimated 1 million people or ~1% of the entire US population. PD is a neurodegenerative amyloid disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements of the body. While the precise cause of PD is unknown, some cases are thought to occur from a combination of genetics, immunologic, and environmental factors that trigger the disease. Studies have shown that signals from gut microbes are required for neuroinflammatory responses and promote a-synuclein-mediated motor deficits and brain pathology.1 PD has no cure and current treatments help control symptoms, but do not address its root cause. For more information, please visit the Parkinson’s Foundation.
In collaboration with Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, Artizan is studying the gut-brain connection in people with early-stage Parkinson’s Disease. To learn more about this program, please visit our PD-BIOME page.
1 Sampson, et al. Gut Microbiota Regulate Motor Deficits and Neuroinflammation in Model of Parkinson’s Disease. Cell.2016;167:1469-1480; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2016.11.018