Gum health and brain health: surprising link found in Parkinson's study
NCT ID NCT07272564
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether gum disease (periodontitis) and Parkinson's disease are connected through inflammation. Researchers collected saliva and blood samples from 60 people—some with both conditions, some with only gum disease, and some healthy. They found that certain substances related to tryptophan, a natural amino acid, were higher in people with both diseases. This suggests a biological link between gum health and brain health, which could lead to new ways to diagnose or treat these conditions in the future.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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60 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2022
- Finished
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Jun 2023
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * systemically healthy * clinical diagnosis of periodontitis * clinical diagnosis of periodontal health Exclusion Criteria: * history of regular use of systemic antibiotics anti-inflammatory, or antioxidant drugs (previous 3 months) * nonsurgical periodontal treatment (previous 6 months) * surgical periodontal treatment (previous 12 months) * presence of\<10 teeth * current medications affecting gingival health (calcium channel blockers, phenytoin, cyclosporine, and hormone replacement therapy) * diabetes * diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis * pregnancy * lactating * smoking * excessive alcohol consumption.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Istanbul Medipol University, School of Dentistry
Istanbul, Fatih, Turkey (Türkiye)
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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