"Investigators also analyzed existing studies to try and find possible testable pathways between the bacterial infection and Parkinson’s to lay the groundwork for future research. They found four main possible explanations for the association:
Bacterial toxins produced by H. pylori may damage neurons.
The infection triggers a massive inflammatory response that causes damage to the brain.
H. pylori may disrupt the normal gut microbial flora.
The bacteria might interfere with the absorption properties of levodopa, the medication commonly used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
The onset of PD is often preceded by gastrointestinal dysfunction, suggesting that the condition might originate in the gut and spread to the brain along the brain–gut axis. In the review, investigators note that this has been documented in rats."
