The lowly appendix may play surprising role in development of Parkinson's disease

The appendix has long been dismissed as an organ that has outlived its usefulness in human evolution. But new research suggests it may play an active - and detrimental - role in the development of Parkinson's disease.

In a finding that extends the link between gut and brain health in a surprising new direction, scientists found that people who had their appendix removed were 20 percent less likely to develop the neurodegenerative disorder than people who did not have appendectomies.

What's more, surgical removal of the appendix seemed to forestall the appearance of Parkinson's symptoms, which include tremors, movement difficulties and signs of dementia. Among older patients in whom Parkinson's disease was eventually diagnosed, those who'd had their appendix removed experienced their first symptoms