The Effect of Probiotics on Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease Model by Strain NL5901 Caenorhabditis elegans.
School Name
Spring Valley High School
Grade Level
10th Grade
Presentation Topic
Zoology
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by nerves (Mayo Clinic, n.d.). The disease is known for two main changes in the brain, the development of Lewy Bodies through the accumulation of alpha-synuclein and the loss of dopaminergic neurons (Parkinson's Foundation, n.d.). The purpose of this study was to determine the usage of probiotics as a successful treatment for impaired cognitive function as a symptom of Parkinson’s Disease. It was hypothesized that if NL5091 Caenorhabditis elegans are fed different probiotics and then tested on cognitive function, the C. elegans fed Bacillus subtilis will have the best success alleviating the Parkinson's symptoms. This experiment was conducted by using genetically modified C. elegans to produce the protein alpha-synuclein and performing a learning assay using positive association to a commercially bought orange extract after being fed different K12 E. coli probiotic solutions. The different K12 E. coli probiotic solutions contained Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and none as a control group. After the learning assay, the final position of the nematodes determined the success of the probiotic on the memory of the nematodes. A Chi-Square Goodness of Fit Test determined that the data was statistically significant due to the χ2 value of the sum of Bacillus subtilis trials being greater than the critical value χ2 (2, N = 60) = 12.92, p < .05. The results suggested that Bacillus subtilis can improve the short-term memory of NL5091 C. elegans. In a greater context, the results of the experiment suggest that probiotics have the potential to improve impaired cognitive function in humans as a symptom of Parkinson’s disease.
Recommended Citation
Marlapudi, Hasini, "The Effect of Probiotics on Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease Model by Strain NL5901 Caenorhabditis elegans." (2023). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 140.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2023/all/140
Location
ECL 205A
Start Date
3-25-2023 11:00 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
The Effect of Probiotics on Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease Model by Strain NL5901 Caenorhabditis elegans.
ECL 205A
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by nerves (Mayo Clinic, n.d.). The disease is known for two main changes in the brain, the development of Lewy Bodies through the accumulation of alpha-synuclein and the loss of dopaminergic neurons (Parkinson's Foundation, n.d.). The purpose of this study was to determine the usage of probiotics as a successful treatment for impaired cognitive function as a symptom of Parkinson’s Disease. It was hypothesized that if NL5091 Caenorhabditis elegans are fed different probiotics and then tested on cognitive function, the C. elegans fed Bacillus subtilis will have the best success alleviating the Parkinson's symptoms. This experiment was conducted by using genetically modified C. elegans to produce the protein alpha-synuclein and performing a learning assay using positive association to a commercially bought orange extract after being fed different K12 E. coli probiotic solutions. The different K12 E. coli probiotic solutions contained Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and none as a control group. After the learning assay, the final position of the nematodes determined the success of the probiotic on the memory of the nematodes. A Chi-Square Goodness of Fit Test determined that the data was statistically significant due to the χ2 value of the sum of Bacillus subtilis trials being greater than the critical value χ2 (2, N = 60) = 12.92, p < .05. The results suggested that Bacillus subtilis can improve the short-term memory of NL5091 C. elegans. In a greater context, the results of the experiment suggest that probiotics have the potential to improve impaired cognitive function in humans as a symptom of Parkinson’s disease.
