Probiotics for Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex neurological disorder classically characterized by impairments in motor system function associated with loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. After almost 200 years since the first description of PD by James Parkinson, unraveling the complexity of PD continues to evolve. It is now recognized that an interplay between genetic and environmental factors influences a diverse range of cellular processes, reflecting on other clinical features including non-motor symptoms. This has consequently highlighted the extensive value of early clinical diagnosis to reduce difficulties of later stage management of PD. Advancement in understanding of PD has made remarkable progress in introducing new tools and strategies such as stem cell therapy and deep brain stimulation. A link between alterations in gut microbiota and PD has also opened a new line. Evidence exists of a bidirectional pathway between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. Probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics are being examined that might influence gut-brain axis by altering gut microbiota composition, enteric nervous system, and CNS. This review provides status on use of probiotics for PD. Limitations and future directions will also be addressed to promote further research considering use of probiotics for PD

Migraine and Diet

Migraine is characterized by recurrent attacks of disabling headaches, often accompanied by sensory and motor disturbances. Clinical manifestations of migraine are influenced by dietary behaviors and dietary elements. Several dietary triggers for migraine have been identified, leading to the definition of strategies such as elimination diets, ketogenic diets, and comprehensive diets, mainly to help prevent migraine. Although inconsistency is present in the literature and no consensus exists, the available data are promising in supporting beneficial dietary interventions for some migraine patients. Several factors influence the net outcome, including age, sex, genetics, and environmental factors. Advancement in understanding the underlying mechanisms of migraine pathogenesis and how dietary factors can interfere with those mechanisms has encouraged investigators to consider diet as a disease-modifying agent, which may also interfere with the gut–brain axis or the epigenetics of migraine. Future work holds potential for phenotyping migraine patients and offering personalized recommendations in line with biopsychosocial models for the management of migraine. Diet, as an important element of lifestyle, is a modifiable aspect that needs further attention. Well-designed, systematic, and mechanism-driven dietary research is needed to provide evidence-based dietary recommendations specific to migraine. This narrative review aims to present the current status and future perspective on diet and migraine, in order to stimulate further research and awareness

A Bidirectional View of Migraine and Diet Relationship

Migraine is a common headache with a large negative impact on health. Several endogenous and exogenous factors can influence the severity and frequency of migraine, for example, lifestyle factors including dietary factors. Consequently, lifestyle modifications and dietary considerations have been reported beneficial to moderate clinical features of migraine. Much effort has been invested in determining the lifestyle factors (eg, stress, exercise, sleep, and diet) that trigger migraine to develop recommendations and guidelines for prevention. Diet has also been investigated with a major focus on the content of the diet and to a lesser extent on the amount, pattern, and quality of diet. Identification of dietary factors in migraine has led to nutritional interventions with a major focus on elimination of triggers, and weight control strategies. Several so-called migraine diets have consequently been proposed, for example, the ketogenic diet. Some theories have considered epigenetic diets or functional food to help in altering components of migraine pathogenesis; however, these theories are less investigated. In contrast, evidence is being accumulated to support that some mechanisms underlying migraine may alter dietary choices, for example type, amount, or patterns. Since a causative relationship is not yet established in migraine-diet relationship as to which comes first, this concept is equally valuable and interesting to investigate. Only limited epidemiological data are available to demonstrate that dietary choices are different among patients with migraine compared with individuals without migraine. Differences are reflected on quality, composition, pattern, and the amount of consumption of dietary components. This view emphasizes a potential bidirectional relationship between migraine and diet rather than a one-way influence of one on the other. This targeted review presents examples from current literature on the effects of diet on migraine features and effects of migraine on dietary choices to draw a perspective for future studies

Migraine and Mood in Children

Migraine is one of the most prevalent headache disorders in children and negatively influences their quality of life. Physical, social, and school functioning are negatively affected. Mood changes are common in migraineurs and may happen before, during, or after a migraine headache. Children with migraine are not exempt from mood swings. The majority of mood changes occur during the prodromal phase, manifesting as a psychobiological response, e.g., difficulty thinking, trouble concentrating, irritability, higher or lower energy, confusion, and depression. A bi-directional relationship between migraine and mood has been proposed, but mechanisms are not clear. Collectively, a maladaptive stress response has been suggested to explain the inability to balance homoeostatic changes when facing various stressors. Recognizing mood changes and monitoring mood patterns in children with migraine, for example, by various apps and so-called mood monitors, is valuable for better management. A multidisciplinary intervention has been recommended to reduce migraine disability, improve coping strategies, and reduce chronification risks in children with migraine. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies are both available and effective. Biofeedback, relaxation, and cognitive-behavioral therapy yield positive outcomes in pediatric migraine. Developing healthy lifestyle habits (diet, exercise, sleep) also seems to improve migraine in this population

Satellite Glial Cells in Pain Research:A Targeted Viewpoint of Potential and Future Directions

Chronic pain is known to be caused by sensitization within the pain circuits. An imbalance occurs between excitatory and inhibitory transmission that enables this sensitization to form. In addition to neurons, the contribution of central glia, especially astrocytes and microglia, to the pathogenesis of pain induction and maintenance has been identified. This has led to the targeting of astrogliosis and microgliosis to restore the normal functions of astrocytes and microglia to help reverse chronic pain. Gliosis is broadly defined as a reactive response of glial cells in response to insults to the central nervous system (CNS). The role of glia in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) has been less investigated. Accumulating evidence, however, points to the contribution of satellite glial cells (SGCs) to chronic pain. Hence, understanding the potential role of these cells and their interaction with sensory neurons has become important for identifying the mechanisms underlying pain signaling. This would, in turn, provide future therapeutic options to target pain. Here, a viewpoint will be presented regarding potential future directions in pain research, with a focus on SGCs to trigger further research. Promising avenues and new directions include the potential use of cell lines, cell live imaging, computational analysis, 3D tissue prints and new markers, investigation of glia–glia and macrophage–glia interactions, the time course of glial activation under acute and chronic pathological pain compared with spontaneous pain, pharmacological and non-pharmacological responses of glia, and potential restoration of normal function of glia considering sex-related differences