A Novel Frontier in Gut-Brain Axis Research: The Transplantation of Fecal Microbiota in Neurodegenerative Disorders.
A Novel Frontier in Gut-Brain Axis Research: The Transplantation of Fecal Microbiota in Neurodegenerative Disorders.
Where did the research take place?
The study site has not been established. Author addresses may differ from where the research occurred.
Semnan, IR · Author affiliation
Cancer Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan 35147-99442, Iran.Location evidence
Tehran, IR · Author affiliation
School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14496-14535, Iran.Location evidence
Golestān, IR · Author affiliation
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan 49189-36316, Iran.Location evidence
Gorgān, IR · Author affiliation
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan 49189-36316, Iran.Location evidence
Bergen, NO · Author affiliation
Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway.Location evidence
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Original abstract
The gut-brain axis (GBA) represents a sophisticated bidirectional communication system connecting the central nervous system (CNS) and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This interplay occurs primarily through neuronal, immune, and metabolic pathways. Dysbiosis in gut microbiota has been associated with multiple neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In recent years, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has gained attention as an innovative therapeutic approach, aiming to restore microbial balance in the gut while influencing neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative pathways. This review explores the mechanisms by which FMT impacts the gut-brain axis. Key areas of focus include its ability to reduce neuroinflammation, strengthen gut barrier integrity, regulate neurotransmitter production, and reinstate microbial diversity. Both preclinical and clinical studies indicate that FMT can alleviate motor and cognitive deficits in PD and AD, lower neuroinflammatory markers in MS, and enhance respiratory and neuromuscular functions in ALS. Despite these findings, several challenges remain, including donor selection complexities, uncertainties about long-term safety, and inconsistencies in clinical outcomes. Innovations such as synthetic microbial communities, engineered probiotics, and AI-driven analysis of the microbiome hold the potential to improve the precision and effectiveness of FMT in managing neurodegenerative conditions. Although FMT presents considerable promise as a therapeutic development, its widespread application for neurodegenerative diseases requires thorough validation through well-designed, large-scale clinical trials. It is essential to establish standardized protocols, refine donor selection processes, and deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind its efficacy.