Does Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Improve Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms?

A new therapeutic approach could slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease by targeting the gut. Researchers have shown that treatment with fecal microbiota transplantation from healthy donors reduces motor and digestive disorders in patients never treated with medication. This method involves introducing bacteria from healthy individuals into the intestine to rebalance the gut flora.

The study involved seventy-two people with early-stage Parkinson’s disease. Half received a fecal microbiota transplant from donors, while the other half received their own microbiota as a placebo. After thirty-five weeks, patients who received the donor microbiota showed a notable improvement in their motor symptoms. Their movement assessment score improved by an average of nearly four points, while that of the placebo group remained stable. A significant difference was also observed in constipation, a common and disabling problem in these patients. Those treated with donor microbiota saw their constipation severity decrease by more than six points, compared to less than one point for the others.

Analyses revealed that the microbiota of treated patients became more similar to that of the donors. One bacterium in particular, often associated with intestinal imbalances, saw its presence significantly reduced. This change was accompanied by a decrease in aggregates of an abnormal protein in the colon, suggesting a link between gut health and disease progression. Additionally, researchers observed increased levels of dopamine and one of its derivatives in the stools of treated patients, as well as strengthened intestinal barrier function.

No serious adverse effects were reported, confirming the safety of this approach. The observed improvements also include quality of life, with a reduction in genes linked to digestive symptoms and better daily mobility. These results indicate that gut microbiota plays a key role in Parkinson’s disease and that its modulation could offer a new non-drug therapeutic pathway.

This study opens promising perspectives for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases by targeting the gut-brain axis. It shows that acting on the balance of gut bacteria can have beneficial effects on both digestive and motor symptoms, without resorting to conventional medications.

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Official Study Source

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-026-02604-9

Title: Gut microbiota modulation via repeated donor fecal transplantation improves motor and gastrointestinal symptoms in drug-naïve Parkinson’s disease: a randomized phase 2 trial

Journal: Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Rui Zhang; Renyi Feng; Jiuqi Wang; Yongkang Chen; Han Liu; Qingyong Zhu; Haiyan Tian; Chi Qin; Junfang Teng; Beisha Tang; Min Wu; Jinsheng Zeng; Erxi Wu; Xuebing Ding; Xuejing Wang