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Semin Neurol 2023; 43(04): 553-561
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1771468
Review Article

The Role of Helicobacter pylori and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in Parkinson's Disease

Maria Belen Justich
1   Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease, Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2   Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
,
Olga L. Rojas
3   Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
4   Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
,
Alfonso Fasano
1   Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease, Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2   Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
5   Department of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Rehabilitation, Moriggia-Pelascini Hospital – Gravedona ed Uniti, Como, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Funding This work was supported by the University of Toronto and University Health Network Chair in Neuromodulation.
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Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder whose etiology remains largely unexplained. Several studies have aimed to describe a causative effect in the interactions between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain, for both PD pathogenesis and disease course. However, the results have been controversial. Helicobacter pylori and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) are theorized to be agents capable of triggering chronic proinflammatory changes with a possible neurotoxic effect, as well as a cause of erratic L-dopa response in PD patients. This review evaluates the individual and possibly synergistic influence of H. pylori and SIBO on PD, to provide an opportunity to consider prospective therapeutic approaches.

Keywords

Parkinson's disease - Helicobacter pylori - small intestinal bacterial overgrowth


Publication History

Article published online:
10 August 2023

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