Distinct Gut Microbiome Signatures in Parkinson's: A Pilot Study in Central Kerala

Study by: Dr. Balamurugan Ramadass Additional Professor ,Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute ofMedical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar , India.;Dr. Anjali Anne Jacob ,Assistant Professor ,Department of Microbiology, Believers Church MedicalCollege Hospital, Kerala, India.Introduction:The human gut microbiota, essential for metabolic, immune, and homeostatic functions, also influences brain processes via the gut-brain axis. Dysbiosis has been linked to neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD), characterized by tremors, muscle rigidity, and impaired movement. Studies across regions have shown altered gut microbiota in PD, with increased Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus, and decreased SCFA-producing bacteria like Faecalibacterium and Prevotella. However, results are inconsistent, emphasizing the need for region-specific research. This pilot study investigates gut microbiota diversity in PD patients from Central Kerala, India, using spouses as controls.Methodology:The study included 16 PD patients (6 females and 10 males) and 15 spouse controls (10 females and 5 males), aged between 50 and 87 years. Stool and blood samples were collected. Stool samples underwent 16S rRNA sequencing followed by bioinformatic analysis to estimate the diversity and composition of the microbiota. Network analysis was used to assess microbial co-occurrence patterns between PD patients and spouse controls.Results:Beta diversity analysis showed significant differences between the PD and spouse control groups. Influential species for the observed beta diversity changes included Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Collinsella aerofaciens, Akkermansia muciniphila, Bifidobacterium longum, Prevotella copri, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and Lactobacillus ruminis. Correlation analysis revealed that Ruminococcus gnavus and Ruminococcus bromii positively correlated with certain clinical parameters, while Akkermansia muciniphila and Bifidobacterium pseudolongum showed negative correlations.Conclusion:The study supports findings that the gut microbiota in PD patients differs from that of healthy individuals, with a decreased relative abundance of SCFA producers like Faecalibacterium and Prevotella. Additionally, there was an increased abundance of certain species of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, consistent with findings from other studies worldwide.