Faecal microbiota transplant in Parkinson's disease: pilot study to establish safety & tolerability.

Abstract

Emerging evidence suggests gut microbiota differences in Parkinson's Disease (PD) may impact disease progression and treatment. Faecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) offers a potential therapeutic approach. We conducted an open-label pilot study to assess the safety, tolerability, and symptom impact of FMT in 12 patients with mild to moderate PD, administered via enema for 6 months. FMT was safe and well tolerated, causing only mild, transient gastrointestinal symptoms. While no significant motor symptom changes were observed, there was a trend toward reduced daily OFF time at 2 months. Whilst no sustained improvement in non-motor symptoms was found after 6 months, transient improvements in quality of life and non-motor scores were noted at 2 months; these gains regressed by study end. Overall, extended FMT therapy in PD appears safe and tolerable, with reduction in daily motor OFF time and self-reported non-motor symptoms that was not sustained throughout the 6-months of treatment.