Faecal microbiota transplant in Parkinson’s disease: pilot study to establish safety & tolerability

Abstract Emerging evidence suggests gut microbiota differences in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) may impact disease progression and treatment. Faecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) offers a potential therapeutic approach. We conducted an open-label pilot study to assess the safety, tolerability, and sym...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Michele De Sciscio, Robert V. Bryant, Sarah Haylock-Jacobs, Alice S. Day, William Pitchers, Robert Iansek, Samuel P. Costello, Thomas E. Kimber
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:npj Parkinson's Disease
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41531-025-01061-5
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Summary:Abstract Emerging evidence suggests gut microbiota differences in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) may impact disease progression and treatment. Faecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) offers a potential therapeutic approach. We conducted an open-label pilot study to assess the safety, tolerability, and symptom impact of FMT in 12 patients with mild to moderate PD, administered via enema for 6 months. FMT was safe and well tolerated, causing only mild, transient gastrointestinal symptoms. While no significant motor symptom changes were observed, there was a trend toward reduced daily OFF time at 2 months. Whilst no sustained improvement in non-motor symptoms was found after 6 months, transient improvements in quality of life and non-motor scores were noted at 2 months; these gains regressed by study end. Overall, extended FMT therapy in PD appears safe and tolerable, with reduction in daily motor OFF time and self-reported non-motor symptoms that was not sustained throughout the 6-months of treatment
ISSN:2373-8057