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As odd as it sounds, a fecal transplant may be a viable treatment option for Parkinson's disease, according to a new study.

Researchers from Ghent University Hospital, VIB, and Ghent University have unveiled promising findings suggesting the efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in mitigating symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Published in eClinicalMedicine, their study sheds light on the therapeutic potential of FMT as a novel treatment mode for this debilitating neurodegenerative disorder.

Parkinson's disease, characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms, affects millions globally and is on the rise due to factors such as aging demographics and environmental exposures. Current treatments primarily target symptom management but often entail side effects and diminished efficacy over time.

The study, spearheaded by the neurology department at Ghent University Hospital, aimed to investigate the role of the gut microbiome in Parkinson's pathology and evaluate the therapeutic impact of FMT on disease progression.

Leveraging emerging research linking Parkinson's with alterations in the gut microbiota, the research team conducted the clinical study, named GUT-PARFECT, to assess the efficacy of FMT in improving motor symptoms and overall disease trajectory over one year.

"Our results are really encouraging. After twelve months, participants who received the healthy donor stool transplant showed a significant improvement in their motor score, the most important measure for Parkinson's symptoms," Dr. Arnout Bruggeman, researcher at VIB-UGent-UZ Gent and lead author of the study, said in a news release.

The study's findings showed the potential of FMT as a transformative therapeutic intervention for Parkinson's disease, offering a novel approach to symptom management and potentially slowing disease progression.

Despite the promising results, Prof. Roosmarijn Vandenbroucke, from the VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, pointed out the need for further investigation to establish the precise mechanisms underlying FMT's therapeutic effects and refine treatment strategies.

Meanwhile, Prof. Debby Laukens of Ghent University has already envisioned the development of targeted therapies based on microbial composition, as this could pave the way for more accessible and personalized treatment options for people struggling with Parkinson's disease.

"Our next step is to obtain funding to determine which bacteria have a positive influence. This could lead to the development of a 'bacterial pill' or other targeted therapy that could replace FMT in the future," Laukens said.