Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) & Morbus Parkinson / Parkinson's Disease (PD)

Why is Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) considered for the treatment of Morbus Parkinson / Parkinson's Disease (PD)?

Increasing research is investigating the relationship between gut microbial dysbiosis and the development of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Alterations in the gut microbiota may influence both the central nervous system (CNS) and enteric nervous system (ENS), supporting the existence of a gut-microbiota-brain axis involved in neurological disorders. Certain microbial strains may modulate neuroinflammatory, intestinal inflammatory, and immune responses, potentially exerting either protective or disease-promoting effects on PD progression. Consequently, the gut microbiome may offer multiple targets for PD prevention and management. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) could eventually become a direct therapeutic strategy for PD, although current evidence remains limited and further research is needed (4). The gut microbiota has become a focus of research for those interested in the brain and behavior (3).

For Morbus Parkinson / Parkinson's Disease (PD) several animal studies suggested a positive effect of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT), supported by some human case reports (1). FMT administration inhibits the CD284 (Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR-4)) / MYD88 / NFKB signaling pathway in the substantia nigra and the colon, and there it suppresses the generation of pro-inflammatory molecules (2).

How does Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) work in Morbus Parkinson / Parkinson's Disease (PD)?

Fresh Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) for Parkinson’s Disease

Fresh Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) delivered via colonoscopy appears to be a safe and well-tolerated treatment approach for people with mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s disease. Research suggests it may reduce both motor and non-motor symptoms, improve bowel function, and enhance overall quality of life. Reported benefits may persist for at least 12 weeks, potentially because FMT promotes favorable changes in gut microbiota and fecal metabolites (5).

Fecal microbiota transplantation improves motor symptoms and colon transit in Parkinson’s disease

The randomized clinical trial NCT03808389 found that a single fecal microbiota transplantation using stool from a healthy donor led to modest but statistically significant improvements in objective motor symptoms and colonic transit over 12 months, while maintaining a favorable short-term safety profile. However, because the trial was small, single-center, and slightly underpowered relative to its planned sample size, the authors called for confirmation in larger, multicenter studies (6).

References

(1) Vendrik et al. 2020
(2) Zhao et al. 2021b Microbiome 9: 226
(3) Dinan & Cryan 2015 Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 18(6): 552-558
(4) Kang et al. 2021a ASN Neuro 13: 1-10
(5) Wang et al. 2025a Brain Behav Immun 130: 106086
(6) Bruggeman et al. 2024 EClinicalMedicine 71: 102563

see also:
Brain-Gut-Microbiome-Axis / Gut-Brain Axis & Morbus Parkinson / Parkinson's Disease (PD)
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) & Neurodegeneration / Neurodegenerative Diseases (NDDs)
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) (procedure-based) & Preclinical/Clinical data
Gut Microbiota & Morbus Parkinson / Parkinson's Disease (PD)
Microbiome-based therapeutics & Morbus Parkinson / Parkinson's Disease (PD)
Morbus Parkinson / Parkinson's Disease (PD) & Drugs/Treatments