Justyna Korbecka
Wroclaw Medical University, PolandTitle: The Role of Probiotics in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common
neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease, affecting approximately
1% of the population over the age of 60. The disease is characterized by the
progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and
intracellular accumulation of alpha-synuclein.Although the etiology of PD is not fully understood,
recent research has implicated the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of the
disease. The gut microbiota is a complex community of microorganisms that
reside in the gastrointestinal tract and play a crucial role in regulating
various physiological functions. Emerging evidence suggests that the gut
microbiota may affect the development and progression of PD through several
mechanisms, including the production of neurotoxins, changes in gut
permeability, induction of neuroinflammation, and reduced fecal short-chain
fatty acids.Studies have
shown that patients with PD have a higher prevalence of small intestinal
bacterial overgrowth and alterations in gut microbiota composition compared to
healthy individuals. Additionally, gut dysbiosis has been observed in animal
models of PD. Modulation of the gut microbiota can be accomplished, for
instance, by probiotics which are live microorganisms that, administered in
adequate amounts, may bring some particular health benefits to the host. New studies have
found that probiotics have potential anticancer, antioxidative,
anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. In this regard, they may improve
motor and non-motor symptoms in PD patients by targeting oxidative stress,
inflammatory pathways, and apoptosis. However, more research is needed to fully
understand the mechanisms underlying the gut-brain axis in PD and to develop
effective microbiota-based therapies for the disease. In conclusion, the gut microbiota is emerging as a key
player in the pathogenesis and treatment of PD. Understanding the relationship
between the gut microbiota and PD could lead to innovative therapeutic
strategies for the disease.
Biography
Justyna Korbecka received her medical
degree at the age of 25 years from Wroclaw Medical University in Poland. She is
currently pursuing her PhD research in the field of gut microbiota modification
as a novel therapeutic strategy for Parkinson’s disease at the Department of
Neurology in the collaboration with the Department of Gastroenterology and
Hepatology, University Clinical Hospital in Wroclaw, Poland. She has already
two publications on the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of
neurodegenerative disorders and probiotics in the treatment of Parkinson’s
disease.