Nasal Microbiome Imbalance in PD, Alzheimer’s, CFS

An imbalanced nasal microbiome, or dysbiosis, is associated with several health conditions. These include:

1.  Neurological Disorders: Dysbiosis in the nasal microbiota can contribute to neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). This is due to the potential of microbial metabolites and microbes to cross the blood-brain barrier, possibly affecting the central nervous system.

2.  Respiratory and Allergic Conditions: An imbalanced nasal microbiome is linked to conditions such as allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, asthma, pneumonia, and otitis media. These conditions are associated with the spread of opportunistic pathogens from the nasal cavity to other parts of the respiratory tract.

3.  Inflammatory Conditions: Dysbiosis of the nasal biome could influence inflammatory diseases, potentially affecting conditions like, Irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and obesity.

4.  Neurodegenerative Processes: The nasal microbiome might play a role in the initiation of neurodegenerative processes, such as aSyn aggregation, which is associated with diseases like Parkinson’s disease

5. Brain Fog: There is evidence suggesting that alterations in the sinus microbiome can be linked to brain fog. Chronic sinus inflammation, which can be associated with changes in the nasal microbiome, has been shown to affect brain activity and lead to cognitive impairments such as brain fog. This inflammation can impact neural pathways and neurotransmitter balance, contributing to symptoms like decreased concentration, memory problems, and mood disturbances

Let’s take a deeper dive.

Studies have found that in healthy adults aged 45-60 the nasal microbiome will contain:

Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Veillonella, Cutibacterium and Corynebacterium species. The composition of the nasal cavities will mirror the oropharyngeal region (throat and tonsils).

Meanwhile those with active Respiratory Tract Infections will have:

Corynebacterium, Moraxella, Staphylococcus, Dolosigranulum, Streptococcus, Haemophilus, Peptoniphilus, Cutibacterium, Anaerococcus, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas, and Neisseria in the nasal passages. Prevotella, Veillonella, Streptococcus, Neisseria, Fusobacterium, Leptotrichia, Haemophilus, Rothia, Porphyromonas, Actinobacillus, Lactobacillus, and Staphylococcus are found in the oropharynx.

Those with Parkinsons tend to have Escherichia albertii, Peptoniphilus asaccharolyticus, Staphylococcus aureus, Macrococcus brunensis, Ralstonia insidiosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Burkholderia xenovorans, Acinetobacter guillouiae.

What does this have to do with neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinsons Disease or Alzheimers?

Some bacteria appear to play a role in linking the nervous system and nasal cavity.

1.  Chlamydia pneumoniae: This bacterium is known to cause infections like sinusitis and pneumonia. Interestingly, it has been found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease, suggesting it might be involved in the disease.

2.  Propionibacterium acnes: This bacterium, commonly found in the mouth, throat, and skin, has been found in higher amounts in the brains of people who had Alzheimer's disease after they passed away.

3.  Corynebacterium diphtheriae: This bacterium produces a toxin that can enter the brain and has been linked to sporadic cases of Alzheimer's disease.

In Parkinson’s disease, changes occur not only in the brain but also in the nerve endings of the throat, voice box, upper esophagus, and gut. This suggests that these areas might be connected to the disease in some way.

The nasal barrier and respiratory tract are supposed to help prevent infection. Although, similarly to the gut, it appears these barriers can become compromised by chronic dysbiosis.

Alternations in the nasal microbiome are associated with changes in cytokines and immune response. There may be, for example, elevations in allergic type cytokines such as IL-6, IL-33 and IL-4.

It is easy to test the nasal microbiome these days. For a layperson, you’ll want to use a test that provides ranges specific to nasal bacteria.

If we suspect a client has a history of or current exposure to mold we will use Microbiology Dx as they test for biofilm, mold, fungi and MARCONS. If you would like to do the same you are welcome to use our information to run a test yourself.

https://www.microbiologydx.com/treatments

For those in Europe you might use My Microbiome.

https://microbiome-friendly.com/en/standard-2410

If, for some reason, you don’t need ranges you could also use Biomesight and just run the swab through your nasal cavity instead of through stool. 

https://shop.biomesight.com/collections/frontpage/products/gut-microbiome-test-snapshot

Questions to ask yourself if trying to understand whether this type of testing is worth it for you:

• Do you have a history of sinus infections or symptoms

• Do you have a history of mold exposure or mold sensitivity

• Do you have a reduced sense of smell

• Do you have thick discharge that comes through your nasal passage

• Do you feel pressure in your face

• Do you have asthma

• Do you have Parkinsons

If you have answered yes to any of these questions you should consider investigating your nasal microbiome.

Whelan F.J., Verschoor C.P., Stearns J.C., Rossi L., Luinstra K., Loeb M., Smieja M., Johnstone J., Surette M.G., Bowdish D.M. The loss of topography in the microbial communities of the upper respiratory tract in the elderly. Ann. Am. Thorac. Soc. 2014;11:513–521. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201310-351OC

Thangaleela S, Sivamaruthi BS, Kesika P, Bharathi M, Chaiyasut C. Nasal Microbiota, Olfactory Health, Neurological Disorders and Aging-A Review. Microorganisms. 2022 Jul 12;10(7):1405. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10071405. PMID: 35889124; PMCID: PMC9320618.