Narrative Review: Gut Microbiota and Its Impact on α-syn Function in Parkinson's Disease

Gut microbiota (GM) plays a pivotal role in human health and disease, and its alterations have been implicated in various neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD). Growing evidence reveals correlations between the abundance of specific bacterial taxa and the severity of motor symptoms and intestinal dysfunction in PD. Moreover, bacterial metabolites have been shown to influence α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregation and neurodegeneration. This narrative review aims to explore the current understanding of the gut-brain axis in PD, specifically the connection between GM and α-syn function in PD experimental models and patients. Several therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating gut microbiota, such as dietary interventions, fecal microbiota transplantation, and targeted bacterial therapies with the goal of alleviating or preventing PD symptoms, are examined. Understanding the mechanisms through which GM influence neurodegeneration, including inflammation, immune modulation, and microbial metabolite production, offers promising avenues for the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting the microbiome.