Antonie van LeeuwenhoekAug 3, 2026

Imbalance of Gut Bacteria in Southern Chinese Patients with Parkinson's Disease

Gut-Brain Axis Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Aug 4, 2026

Abstract

Approximately 10 million people worldwide are affected by Parkinson's disease (PD).

Gut microbial dysbiosis may play a crucial role in the development of Parkinson's disease through the gut-brain axis.
Significant differences in faecal microbiome composition were found between PD patients and age-matched controls.
The abundance of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria was altered by the use of anticholinergic and dopaminergic medications.
Exploratory analyses indicated that the abundance of Alistipes remained unchanged across different medication groups.
Changes in the faecal microbiota of PD patients were associated with disease severity, age, and medication use.

Simplified

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, affecting approximately 10 million people worldwide. Growing evidence suggests that gut microbial dysbiosis may be crucial in PD pathogenesis through the gut-brain axis. However, bacterial profiles can vary based on factors like diet, age, and medication use. This study explores gut microbial dysbiosis in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), considering disease severity, age, and medication use.Faecal samples were collected from PD patients (n = 42) and age-matched controls (n = 25) and analysed using 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing targeting the V3-V4 hypervariable regions. Taxonomic distinctions were assessed with particular focus on short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria. Significant differences in faecal microbiome composition were observed between PD patients and controls. Anticholinergic and dopaminergic agents altered the abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria (Ruminococcaceae, Clostridiales, Blautia). Alistipes abundance was not significantly altered across medication groups in exploratory analyses. The faecal microbiota in PD patients showed modifications related to disease severity, age, and medication use. These changes appeared early and were influenced by medical interventions. This study highlights the intricate gut microbiome-PD relationship, suggesting potential therapeutic avenues and further research directions.

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Imbalance of Gut Bacteria in Southern Chinese Patients with Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

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