Probiotic Supplementation in Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disease with both motor and non-motor symptoms. It has been postulated that dysbiosis and gut infections may have metabolic consequences that go unchecked and exacerbate the neurodegenerative process or peripheral inflammation in PD. Objective: This meta-analysis aims to elucidate the potential benefits of of probiotics as supplemental therapy for PD. Materials and Method: PRISMA 2020 was used for literature search. Multiple databases, such as PubMed, Science Direct, and CINAHL Plus, as well as Full Text, Sage Journals, and Web of Science, and clinical registries were investigated. The quality assessment and statistical analysis were conducted using the Jadad scale and the Review Manager software version 5.4.1. Results: Ten randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this systematic review, six of which were quantitative studies. The results indicated that probiotic treatment significantly improved cognitive function based on the MMSE (mean difference [MD] = 0.4, 95% CI [-0.17, 0.97], I2 = 0%). Probiotic treatment also improved gastrointestinal symptoms as evidenced by the Bristol stool score (MD = 0.28, 95% CI [-0.40, 0.97], I2 = 93%) and the bowel movement score (MD = 1.25, 95% CI [0.74, 1.75], I2 = 0%). Significant effects were observed in the depression scale and quality of life, including the Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PACQoL) and the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ39). Conclusion: Probiotic supplementation significantly improved disease progression, gastrointestinal effects, mental health, and quality of life in patients with PD. This improvement may be attributed to a reduction in the inflammatory response and an increase in the activity of gut-brain axis.