Belmont SURFS

Impact of a Combined Lactobacillus plantarum and Bacillus subtilis Diet on the Motor Performance of Caenorhabditis elegans with Parkinson’s Like Disease

It is estimated that millions of people worldwide have Parkinson’s Disease (PD). The symptoms associated with PD are thought to be caused by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. Probiotics have shown promise in preventing the death of dopamine neurons in PD models. When isolated, B. subtilis and L. plantarum can slow the onset of motor symptoms in PD models. Combinations of probiotics have complicated treatment effects because probiotics can be synergistic or antagonistic. Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus plantarum have a synergistic relationship when fighting pathogens, but the combined effect of L. plantarum and B. subtilis on the motor symptoms of PD is unknown. A mobility shift assay is conducted on Caenorhabditis elegans to assess motor capabilities following exposure to 6-OHDA or the control vehicle (S. basal). It is hypothesized that C. elegans given a diet of L. plantarum and B. subtilis in combination will have a higher motor retainment compared to worms given only B. subtilis, L. plantarum, or E. coli (control).