The Impact of Bacteriophage on the Aging Brain and Inflammatory Response: Relevance to Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with age and inflammation with increased prevalence associated with gut dysbiosis. Bacteriophage 936 (phage), has been associated with gut disturbances. We assessed the impact of phage in young (4-5 months) or old (15-16 months) mice to determine if it augments the impact of an inflammatory (LPS) stimulus. The young vs old mice received phage, followed by LPS. Changes in brain inflammation and gut microbiome were analyzed, as well as motor functioning and sickness. We hypothesized that both LPS and age would exacerbate the immunological changes produced by the phage. We found that phage alone did cause measurable changes in inflammatory biomarkers, both peripherally and centrally as well as behavioral changes, as evidenced by sickness and weight loss. Both LPS and age exacerbated the immunological changes produced by phage. Presenting for the first time, phage, in aged mice has complex effects that vary with inflammatory stimulus.