Understanding the Gut-Brain Connection in Parkinson Disease: Laurie Sanders, PhD

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"We’re really excited about this new gut–brain consortium in Parkinson disease, to deeply characterize and take into account many of those nonmotor symptoms…Our hope is that a better understanding of what may be working or not working in [a patient] with Parkinson disease will help us identify a disease-modifying therapy.”

Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized primarily by motor symptoms such as bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor, but it is increasingly recognized as a systemic condition with prominent nonmotor features. Despite advances in symptomatic management, there are currently no approved disease-modifying therapies for PD. This persistent unmet need has driven growing interest in earlier disease mechanisms, prodromal features, and novel biological pathways that may be targeted to slow or alter the course of the disorder.

Over the years, one emerging area of particular focus is the gut–brain connection in PD.^1,2 A closer look at the literature shows that pathological changes may occur outside the brain years before clinical diagnosis, including alterations in the gastrointestinal tract. These changes may involve shifts in the gut microbiome, disturbances in gastrointestinal function, and the presence of α-synuclein pathology in enteric tissues. Collectively, these findings support a model in which the gut and its neural and immune networks may contribute to disease initiation or progression, offering a potential window for biomarker discovery and therapeutic intervention.

In a recent interview with NeurologyLive^®, Laurie Sanders, PhD, associate professor of neurology at Duke University School of Medicine, discussed the Gut Brain Communication in Parkinson’s Disease Consortium (GBPDC), an NIH-funded, multicenter research network designed to deeply characterize nonmotor features, with a particular emphasis on gut-related clinical manifestations. She noted that the GBPDC aims to clarify mechanisms that might ultimately support the development of disease-modifying strategies. Sanders also highlighted the collaborative nature of the effort and noted that the group is committed to improving awareness of emerging research on the systemic aspects of PD.

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REFERENCES
1. Menozzi E, Schapira AHV, Borghammer P. The Gut-Brain Axis in Parkinson disease: Emerging Concepts and Therapeutic Implications. Mov Disord Clin Pract. 2025;12(7):904-916. doi:10.1002/mdc3.70029
2. Sain M, Rani S, Singh SP, et al. The Influence of Gut Microbiome on Alpha-Synuclein Aggregation: Implications for Parkinson's Disease Pathogenesis. Mol Neurobiol. 2026;63(1):639. Published 2026 May 19. doi:10.1007/s12035-026-05917-6