The role of gut dysbiosis in Parkinson's disease: pathophysiology, epidemiology, and emerging therapeutic strategies.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to motor and non-motor symptoms. While the underlying pathobiology remains incompletely understood, emerging evidence suggests a pivotal role for neuroinflammation, microglial activation, and misfolded α-synuclein aggregates. Recent research has highlighted gut dysbiosis as a contributing factor in PD pathology, with potential implications for disease onset and progression. Recent studies suggest that gut dysbiosis may influence PD onset and progression, highlighting the gut-brain axis as a critical mechanistic link. This review explores epidemiology, molecular etiology, genetic predispositions, and risk factors associated with PD, with particular emphasis on the role of gut microbiota. Furthermore, we discuss emerging gut-targeted therapeutic strategies, including probiotics, dietary interventions, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and their potential in mitigating PD pathology. Addressing gut dysbiosis may offer novel therapeutic avenues for early intervention and disease modification in PD.