| Popis: |
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is often preceded by a phase in which non-motor symptoms are already present. Constipation is one of the earliest non-motor manifestations and can occur up to 20 years before diagnosis. PD could therefore originate in the gut. Gut microbiota might play an important role in this process, as the gut microbiota composition in PD is changed. However, previous research was conducted almost exclusively in PD participants who already used PD medication. We show that the gut microbiota composition of recently diagnosed, treatment-naïve PD participants, is already different from healthy controls. In particular, we find lower levels of gut microbiota belonging to the family Lachnospiraceae, that can have anti-inflammatory properties. One year after the diagnosis, we investigated the gut microbiota composition again in participants who have started using PD medication. Several previously described gut microbiota changes in PD actually seem to be a result of PD medication rather than associated with PD itself. Gut microbiota might be of particular importance for a subtype of PD, in which the pathology could start in the gut. This so-called body-first subtype would be characterized by more symmetric pathology and symptoms. More symmetric PD is indeed associated with more symptoms associated with a gastrointestinal origin, such as constipation. In conclusion, we show that gut microbiota composition changes are already present in the early phase of PD, without the influence of PD medication. In addition, the possible influence of PD medication and PD subtypes on gut microbiota is highlighted. |
