The impact of indigenous microbes on Parkinson's disease

The gastrointestinal tract is inhabited by trillions of individual microbes, representing hundreds to thousands of distinct species. These indigenous organisms are not simply spectators to host activity, but instead actively modulate critical aspects of host physiology. From digestion and the production of small molecules, to the maturation and tuning of immune responses, the gastrointestinal microbiome influences every organ system in the body. Growing experimental evidence demonstrates microbial influence on neurological function in both health and disease. Furthermore, sequencing of the intestinal microbe population reveals altered community structures in various neurological conditions. Here, we provide a perspective on the potential roles for the intestinal microbiome in modulating Parkinson's disease. While Parkinson's disease has been historically studied as a disease of the central nervous system, there is growing appreciation for the roles of both gastrointestinal function and its resident microbes within this disease state. 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.