Gut-enteric-neurons-parkinson-disease-link

## The Link Between Gut Enteric Neurons and Parkinson’s Disease

**Emerging research increasingly connects the gut’s enteric nervous system (ENS) with the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD).**

- The ENS, often called the "brain in the gut," is a complex network of neurons and glial cells that regulates digestive functions and communicates bidirectionally with the brain, mainly via the vagus nerve[1][2][4].
- Alterations in the ENS-such as the aggregation of alpha-synuclein protein in enteric neurons-can occur very early in PD, sometimes before symptoms appear in the central nervous system[1][6][7].
- These protein accumulations may travel from the gut to the brain along the vagus nerve, potentially triggering the neurodegeneration seen in PD[1][7].
- Gastrointestinal symptoms like constipation and gastroparesis are common in PD, affecting up to 80–90% of patients, and are linked to changes in both the neurons and glial cells of the ENS[3][5].
- Studies in animal models and humans show that enteric neuropathy-loss or dysfunction of gut neurons-varies in type and severity, and may or may not directly cause digestive symptoms[3][9].
- Enteric glial cells also play a key role in gut-brain communication, modulating inflammation and immune responses that may influence PD development[5].

**In summary:** Mounting evidence suggests that Parkinson’s disease may begin in the gut, with early changes in enteric neurons and glia potentially driving both gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms[1][7]. This gut-brain axis is now a major focus for new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in PD research.