The role of the microbiota: a delicate balance
The neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer And Parkinson, also appear to be influenced by the intestine. The microbiota, that is, the set of microorganisms that populate our intestine, plays a fundamental role in communication with the brain through the microbiota-gut-brain axis. When this ecosystem is altered (dysbiosis), the production of metabolites beneficial to the body’s well-being also changes, promoting inflammation and contributing to the development of neurological disorders.
Barriers Weakening: A Journey from the Gut to the Brain
There dysbiosis It can damage the intestinal barrier, making it more permeable and allowing toxic substances to enter the blood. Similarly, the blood-brain barrier can also weaken. This double weakening facilitates the passage of inflammatory molecules and microorganisms to the brain, activating immune cells and promoting immune-mediated processes. neuroinflammation, a key element in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Three pathways are involved: nervous, endocrine and immune, which together form a continuous communication system between the intestine and the brain.
New therapeutic perspectives: the microbiota as a target
Recent research suggests that modifying the microbiota could help slow or mitigate neurodegenerative diseases. Stool samples from individuals with Parkinson’s disease reveal that levels of short-chain fatty acids, namely acetate, butyrate and propionate, show a marked decrease.
Approaches such as probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and dietary modifications are showing promising results. In particular, the butyrate It is considered a postbiotic with a broad therapeutic profile, contributing to the maintenance of the integrity of the intestinal epithelium and the blood-brain barrier, intestinal motility and transit, anti-inflammatory effects, and neuronal function. Furthermore, can reverse cognitive decline, thus improving neurodegenerative processes.
Despite the ongoing challenges, these therapies represent a new frontier in the understanding and management of neurodegenerative diseases.
For further information:
Nie T, You L, Tang F, Duan Y, Nepovimova E, Kuca K, Wu Q, Wei W. Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2025;23(5):524-546.