Exploring the Microbiome-Neuromuscular Axis in C.elegans Parkinson's Disease Models

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Recent research suggests that changes in the microbiome may play a role in PD development and progression. In this study, we aimed to identify bacteria and associated small-molecule compounds that can improve the neuromuscular deficiencies of C. elegans PD models by influencing their microbiome. To accomplish this, we developed a high-throughput pipeline for assessing the impact of a bacterial diet on C. elegans PD model thrash counts as a measure of movement improvement in neuromuscular deficiency. Our pipeline incorporates automating video recording in the lab, an algorithm for measuring thrash counts, a suggested method for feature representation of bacteria and a predictive model which enable mass-screening for potential treatments. Our research has the potential to significantly impact the search for PD treatments by providing valuable insights into the characteristics and effectiveness of potential therapies.