Fecal microbiota transplantation for Parkinson's disease: A systematic review of clinical evidence

Abstract

Targeting the gut-brain axis, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has become a cutting-edge therapeutic strategy for treating Parkinson's disease (PD), reducing both motor and non-motor symptoms. With an emphasis on gut microbiota changes, disease progression, and symptom alleviation, this systematic review assesses the safety and effectiveness of FMT in PD patients. Four RCTs, one observational research, one non-randomized control study, one case series, and one case report were among the eight papers that were considered; these studies comprised 144 patients in total. Key findings show that FMT has a good safety profile with only mild to severe adverse effects observed, and it significantly improves PD symptoms, notably constipation. Colonic, Nasointestinal, and oral administration were among the delivery routes used to assess treatment effectiveness using the MDS-UPDRS scale. The research reveals differences in the makeup of microbiota and emphasizes how FMT may affect the gut-brain axis, hence resolving neurological abnormalities in Parkinson's disease. Small sample numbers, variations in FMT methods, and the absence of long-term follow-up data are some of the limitations. This study highlights FMT's potential as an adjunctive treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD), especially in improving patient quality of life and reducing non-motor symptoms. To provide standardized procedures and validate long-term safety and effectiveness, bigger multicentre trials are necessary.