Introduction
The relationship between the gut microbiome and Parkinson’s disease has been a subject of extensive research. Here are some key findings:
- Impact of Indigenous Microbes on Parkinson’s Disease
- The gastrointestinal microbiome influences every organ system in the body, including neurological function 1.
- Altered community structures in the intestinal microbe population have been observed in various neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease 1.
- The potential roles for the intestinal microbiome in modulating Parkinson’s disease are being explored, with a focus on disease etiology and therapeutic avenues through modulation of intestinal microbes 1.
- The Brain-First or Body-First Hypothesis in Parkinson’s Disease
- There is continued debate regarding Parkinson’s disease etiology and whether it originates in the brain or begins in the gut 2.
- Evidence has been provided for both brain-first and body-first progression types, with altered gut microbiome observed in Parkinson’s disease patients 2.
- The gut microbiome differences may exist between the body-first and brain-first groups, specifically in terms of reduced SCFA-producing bacteria, which has been shown to be relatively consistent across heterogeneous studies 2.
- Study of the Gut Microbiome in Egyptian Patients with Parkinson’s Disease
- Alterations in the gut microbiota have been found to have a significant impact on the pathogenesis and clinical picture of Parkinson’s disease 3.
- Changes in the gut microbiota composition may cause alterations in the gut barrier function and intestinal permeability, affecting gut epithelial cells and the immune system, as well as the enteric nervous system 3.
- The study identified changes in the gut microbiome of Parkinson’s disease patients compared to healthy controls, highlighting the importance of identifying microbiome and specific bacterial changes for targeted treatment of Parkinson’s disease 3.
- Gut Microbiota in Monozygotic Twins Discordant for Parkinson’s Disease
- Differences in gut microbiota between Parkinson’s disease patients and controls seem to depend on multiple confounders 4.
- Minimal differences in bacterial taxa abundance and predicted metabolic pathways were observed in monozygotic twin pairs discordant for Parkinson’s disease, indicating the need for additional studies to understand the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease 4.
View References (4)
The impact of indigenous microbes on Parkinson's disease
1
To the Gut Microbiome and Beyond: The Brain-First or Body-First Hypothesis in Parkinson’s Disease
2
Study of the gut microbiome in Egyptian patients with Parkinson’s Disease
3
Gut Microbiota in Monozygotic Twins Discordant for Parkinson's Disease
4
What are the potential roles for the intestinal microbiome in modulating Parkinson’s disease?
The potential roles of the intestinal microbiome in modulating Parkinson’s disease include:
- Influence on Neurological Function: The gastrointestinal microbiome influences neurological function in both health and disease, with growing experimental evidence demonstrating microbial influence on neurological function 1.
- Altered Community Structures: Sequencing of the intestinal microbe population reveals altered community structures in various neurological conditions, indicating the potential influence of the microbiome on Parkinson’s disease 1.
- Modulation of Disease Etiology: Recent studies focused on the microbiome during Parkinson’s disease may advance our understanding of disease etiology and provide perspective for previously unrecognized therapeutic avenues through modulation of intestinal microbes 1.
View References (1)
What are the potential therapeutic avenues through modulation of intestinal microbes in Parkinson’s disease?
The potential therapeutic avenues through modulation of intestinal microbes in Parkinson’s disease include the following:
- Influence on Levodopa Kinetics : The gut microbiota can influence levodopa kinetics, and conversely, drugs administered for PD can influence gut microbiota composition. Through a two-step enzymatic pathway, gut microbes can decarboxylate levodopa to dopamine in the small intestine and then dehydroxylate it to m-tyramine, thus reducing availability. Inhibition of bacterial decarboxylation pathways could represent a strategy to increase levodopa absorption. Other bacterial perturbations common in PD, such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and Helicobacter pylori infection, can also modulate levodopa metabolism, and eradication therapies may improve levodopa absorption 1.
- Mediterranean Diet-Induced Changes : Mediterranean diet-induced changes in gut microbiota composition might improve a range of non-motor symptoms. Prebiotics can increase levels of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria and decrease pro-inflammatory species, with positive effects on clinical symptoms and levodopa kinetics 1.
- Probiotics and Prebiotics : Probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.” Use of probiotics has been successfully applied in several in vitro and in vivo studies, and initial studies in human populations showed beneficial effects on constipated PD individuals treated with probiotic Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota. Prebiotics can increase levels of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria and decrease pro-inflammatory species, with positive effects on clinical symptoms and levodopa kinetics. The latest recommendations by the MDS EBM Committee considered probiotics and prebiotic fibres as efficacious, clinically useful, and associated with an acceptable risk profile that does not require specialized monitoring in clinical practice 1.
These therapeutic avenues offer a novel opportunity to manage disabling motor complications and dopa-unresponsive symptoms in Parkinson’s disease through the modulation of intestinal microbes 1.
