Parkinson’s disease is a disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination.
It is caused by a loss of nerve cells in the brain, but what causes that loss is unclear.
Parkinson’s is fundamentally a condition that affects the brain but there is growing evidence that the gut may have a role to play.
The idea has ignited a wave of scientific exploration, delving deeper into the gut-brain axis and its potential implications for people with the disease.
The question is: if your gut plays a role in the development of Parkinson’s, could what you eat and drink play a role too?
Professor K Ray Chaudhuri, Consultant Neurologist
Professor K Ray Chaudhuri is Consultant Neurologist and Professor in Neurology/Movement Disorders at Kings College and Institute of Psychiatry.
He is a recognised teacher and active researcher within the Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ School of Medicine, London, UK and is one of the medical directors of the National Parkinson Foundation International Centre of Excellence at Kings College, London. He also serves as chairman of the RLS:UK and International PD Non-Motor Group, a member of the Movement Disorders Society, chairman of the appointments committee, member of the WFN organisational committee, the Task force of practice parameter group for PD and RLS, American Academy Neurology, and also has various committee positions for the Department of Health, UK.
Professor Chaudhuri is the author of 225 papers including reviews, book chapters, co-editor of 4 books on Parkinson’s disease and Restless Legs Syndrome and over 150 published peer reviewed abstracts. He has contributed extensively to educational radio and television interviews including BBC and CNN, newspaper articles and videos. He has also lectured extensively on PD and restless legs syndrome at international meetings in USA, Japan, continental Europe, South America, South Africa, India and Australia.
His major research interests are drug treatment of PD and restless legs syndrome, Parkinsonism in minority ethnic groups and sleep problems in PD. In 2005 he was awarded the DSc degree by the University of London and received his personal Chair in neurology in 2007.