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intestines. Most patients with PD also had histories of irritable bowel syndrome, indicating linkage between the gut and PD. 4
About 90 % of people having a diagnosis of idiopathic PD are frustrated without knowing the etiology. 1 However, there can be a strong correlation between PD pathology and the gut. When there are increased levels of bacteria resulting in dysbiosis, the concentration of proteins increases membrane permeability, resulting in more ⍺-synuclein protein in the intestines. Thus, calprotectin penetrates the blood-brain barrier into the brain. Once beyond the barrier, calprotectin can cause the formation of amyloid structures, like ⍺-synuclein, which then accumulate, creating Lewy bodies and possibly causing PD.
Medicine is too often reactionary, but a preventive approach could be beneficial. For people with gastrointestinal dysfunction, early prevention and treatment can attenuate brain disease. However, for patients with PD and gut-health issues, gastrointestinal therapy may be a helpful intervention. Administering capsules containing feces taken from healthy people and ingested by individuals with PD can be therapeutic. 5 Hopefully, this might improve their microbiome, preventing the accumulation of calprotectin and its cascade effects in the gut and brain. These findings are important and might improve the quality of life for patients with PD by targeting the etiology.
References
1. Cerri, S., Mus, L., Blandini, F.( 2019). Parkinson’ s Disease in Women and
Men: What’ s the Difference? Journal of Parkinson’ s Disease, 9( 3), 501 – 515. https:// doi. org / 10.3233 / JPD-191683. Accessed May 28, 2025.
2. Klann, E. M., Dissanayake, U., Gurrala, A., et al.( 2022). The Gut-Brain Axis and Its Relation to Parkinson’ s Disease: A Review. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 13( 782082), 1-17. https:// doi. org / 10.3389 / fnagi. 2021.782082. Accessed May 28, 2025.
3. Greenwald, J., Riek, R.( 2010). Biology of Amyloid: Structure, Function, and Regulation. Structure, 18( 10), 1244 – 1260. https:// doi. org / 10.1016 / j. str. 2010.08.009. Accessed May 28, 2025.
4. Dumitrescu, L., Marta, D., Dǎnǎu, A., et al.“ Serum and Fecal Markers of Intestinal Inflammation and Intestinal Barrier Permeability Are Elevated in Parkinson’ s Disease.” Frontiers in Neuroscience, 15( 689723), 1-8. https:// doi. org / 10.3389 / fnins. 2021.689723. Accessed May 28, 2025.
5. Contarino, M. F., van Hilten, J. J., Kuijper, E. J.( 2022). Targeting the Gut – Brain Axis with Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: Considerations on a Potential Novel Treatment for Parkinson’ s Disease. Movement Disorders Clinical Practice, 10( S2), 1-5. https:// doi. org / 10.1002 / mdc3.13621. Accessed May 28, 2025.
Adriana Mulet Miranda is a recent graduate of Bellarmine University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in both Neuroscience and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. She is currently applying to medical school and volunteers as a medical scribe and Spanish interpreter at the Family Community Clinic.( non-member)
Dr. Lippmann is a retired psychiatry professor from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Subsequently, he regularly provides primary medical care practice at the Family Community Clinic, clinically mentors lots of students, residents and international medical graduate physicians and teaches scientific medical writing seminars.
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