Parkinson’s disease and the gut microbiota connection: unveiling dysbiosis and exploring therapeutic horizons

Dysbiosis has been consistently observed in individuals with Parkinson's disease, characterized by reductions in beneficial bacteria and increases in pro-inflammatory species.

• Alterations in gut microbial composition may contribute to increased intestinal permeability and systemic inflammation.
• Heightened neuroinflammatory responses are associated with α-synuclein misfolding and dopaminergic degeneration.
• Microbial metabolites, such as lipopolysaccharides and amyloid proteins, could promote neurodegeneration through immune and molecular mimicry pathways.
• The microbiota-gut-brain axis may influence a range of Parkinson's disease symptoms, including motor deficits and non-motor features like depression and cognitive decline.
• Several microbiota-modulating interventions have shown neuroprotective potential, although variability and methodological differences complicate understanding.
• The gut microbiome may serve as a non-invasive biomarker for early Parkinson's disease detection, but standardization issues persist.

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