The Role of Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis in the Pathogenesis of Neurodegenerative Diseases (Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis) – A Comprehensive Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2025.48.67075Keywords
Gut microbiome, Neurodegenerative diseases, Gut–brain axis, Dysbiosis, Short-chain fatty acidsAbstract
Background: The gut microbiome interacts with the nervous system through the gut–brain axis (GBA), which is essential for understanding mechanisms contributing to neurodegenerative diseases via neuronal, endocrine, and immune pathways. Gut dysbiosis disrupts microbial balance and is associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS), contributing to impaired blood–brain barrier integrity and protein aggregation. Effective treatment is crucial to maintain patients’ independence, daily function, and quality of life while reducing long-term healthcare costs.
Aim: This study aimed to synthesize and critically evaluate recent evidence on the role of the gut microbiome and its metabolites in AD, PD, and MS, and to discuss potential diagnostic and therapeutic implications within the GBA. It also highlights the relevance of these findings for health education and future interventions.
Materials and methods: Studies on the impact of the gut microbiome on neurodegenerative diseases were analyzed using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search included terms such as “gut microbiome,” “dysbiosis,” “gut–brain axis,” “Alzheimer’s disease,” “Parkinson’s disease,” and “multiple sclerosis,” covering publications from 2018 to 2025.
Results: Altered levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and biogenic amines influence neuroinflammation, blood–brain barrier function, and protein aggregation. Preliminary data suggest that modulating the microbiome may help regulate inflammatory responses.
Conclusions: Evidence indicates that the gut microbiome plays a significant role in neurodegenerative disease development. Dysbiosis may serve as a biomarker and therapeutic target. Integrating gut health into preventive programs may enhance effectiveness and support early detection and management strategies.
References
Barichella M, Pacchetti C, Degli Antoni F, et al. (2019). Probiotics for Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled trial. Mov Disord, 34(9), 1368-1375. doi: 10.1002/mds.27763.
Borbet TC, Blay R, Smith JM, et al. (2022). Gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids modulate T cell immunity in multiple sclerosis. Ann Neurol, 92(5), 790-804. doi: 10.1002/ana.26470.
Cattaneo A, Cattane N, Galluzzi S, et al. (2019). Modulating the microbiota-gut-brain axis in Alzheimer's disease: a probiotic intervention study. Transl Psychiatry, 9(1), 119. doi: 10.1038/s41398-019-0450-9.
Cattaneo A, Cattane N, Galluzzi S, et al. (2019). Pro-inflammatory gut microbiota in Alzheimer's disease. Transl Psychiatry, 9(1), 65. doi: 10.1038/s41398-019-0382-9.
Cekanaviciute E, Yoo BB, Runia TF, et al. (2017). Gut microbiota induces Th17 cell differentiation in multiple sclerosis. Nature, 547(7662), 181-186. doi: 10.1038/nature24478.
Giavasis I, Koulouris E, Papadimitriou K, et al. (2023). Influence of the Gut Microbiota on the Pathogenesis of Neurodegenerative Diseases: Therapeutic Perspectives. Foods, 12(1), 159. doi: 10.3390/foods12010159.
Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. (2021). Global, regional, and national burden of neurological disorders. Lancet Neurol, 20(12), 1070–1089. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(21)00285-1.
Hansson S, Kjellström S, Lundin C, et al. (2023). Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota in neurodegenerative disorders. J Neurochem, 164(4), 450-465. doi: 10.1111/jnc.15783.
Jangi S, Gandhi R, Cox LM, et al. (2016). Alterations of the gut microbiota in multiple sclerosis. Nat Commun, 7, 13111. doi: 10.1038/ncomms13111.
Kim CS, Lee SY, Yang SC, et al. (2024). Short-chain fatty acids regulate immune responses and gut-brain axis via G-protein coupled receptors. Int J Mol Sci, 25(1), 405. doi: 10.3390/ijms25010405.
Lee Y, Kim Y, Choi S, et al. (2023). Probiotic Supplementation Improves Cognitive Function and Reduces Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients, 15(19), 4122. doi: 10.3390/nu15194122.
Lei W, Li Y, Wang H, et al. (2023). Gut microbiota-driven neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease. J Alzheimers Dis, 88, 345–359. doi: 10.3233/JAD-230302.
Morais LH, Stiles L, Freeman M, et al. (2023). The gut microbiome promotes mitochondrial respiration in the brain of a Parkinson’s disease mouse model. npj Parkinsons Dis, 9(1), 96. doi: 10.1038/s41531-023-00551-x.
Mulak A, Varghese P. (2019). Gut microbiota in neurodegenerative diseases. Gastroenterol Clin North Am, 48(1), 151-171. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2018.09.006.
Sampson TR, Debelius JW, Thron T, et al. (2021). The gut microbiota modulates neuroinflammation. Nat Med, 27(1), 120-131. doi: 10.1038/s41591-020-01211-5.
Sun J, Ling Z, Wang F, et al. (2022). Fecal microbiota transplantation for Parkinson's disease. Mov Disord, 37(12), 2560-2568. doi: 10.1002/mds.29179.
Sun M, Ma W, Sun M, et al. (2023). The role of the gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. J Neuroinflammation, 20(1), 155. doi: 10.1186/s12974-023-02838-5.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Natalia Kruszewska, Hanna Pietruszewska, Oliwia Sędziak, Sabina Skrzynecka, Urszula Borucińska
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Stats
Number of views and downloads: 6
Number of citations: 0
