The Gut-Brain Axis in Parkinson's Disease

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gastroenterology
• Pathophysiology

Background:

• Parkinson's disease (PD) involves both the central nervous system (CNS) and enteric nervous system (ENS).
• Gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction is common in PD, but underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
• The ENS's role in PD pathophysiology is suggested but not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review clinical aspects and management of GI dysfunction in PD.
• To discuss current understanding of gut pathophysiology in PD, including early disease involvement.
• To explore the gut-brain axis for developing PD biomarkers and treatments.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of clinical presentations and management of GI dysfunction in PD.
• Synthesis of current knowledge on gut pathophysiology, α-synuclein, and the microbiome in PD.
• Discussion of experimental models for PD-related GI pathophysiology.

Main Results:

• GI dysfunction is a significant clinical manifestation of PD.
• Evidence suggests the ENS and gut microbiome play roles in PD pathogenesis.
• The gut-brain axis offers potential therapeutic targets and biomarker development avenues.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the ENS's role in PD is crucial for comprehending disease mechanisms.
• Further research is needed to elucidate PD pathophysiology in the gut.
• Targeting the gut-brain axis may lead to novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for PD.