Gut–brain axis dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease: a meta-analysis of microbiome dysbiosis and intestinal barrier markers
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) has traditionally been conceptualized as a neurodegenerative disorder centered within the central nervous system. However, growing evidence suggests that gastrointestinal dysfunction, intestinal permeability abnormalities, and gut microbiome dysbiosis may contribute to disease initiation and progression in a subset of patients. While several studies have characterized microbial alterations in PD, the integration of dysbiosis with intestinal barrier dysfunction and emerging phenotype-oriented models remains incompletely synthesized.
A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to January 2025 for studies evaluating gut microbiota composition and/or intestinal permeability markers in Parkinson’s disease. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed using standardized mean differences (SMDs) with subgroup and sensitivity analyses exploring geographic variation, sequencing methodology, disease duration, and phenotype-specific findings.
Thirty-four studies were identified; one (an experimental fecal-microbiota-transfer study in mice) was reclassified as preclinical mechanistic evidence rather than a primary human dataset. The remaining 33 human studies comprised 1,588 PD patients and 1,449 healthy controls. Consistent microbial alterations were identified across studies, characterized by depletion of short-chain…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 1,588 participants or records.
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