Cited by 227Gut microbiota and healthParkinson's Disease Mechanisms and TreatmentsNeuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms

The Microbiome as a Modifier of Neurodegenerative Disease Risk

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Fang, P., Kazmi, S.A., Jameson, K.G., Hsiao, E.Y.·2020·Cell Host & Microbe

Abstract

The gut microbiome is increasingly implicated in modifying susceptibility to and progression of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). In this review, we discuss roles for the microbiome in aging and in NDs. In particular, we summarize findings from human studies on microbiome alterations in Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's disease. We assess animal studies of genetic and environmental models for NDs that investigate how manipulations of the microbiome causally impact the development of behavioral and neuropathological endophenotypes of disease. We additionally evaluate the likely immunological, neuronal, and metabolic mechanisms for how the gut microbiota may modulate risk for NDs. Finally, we speculate on cross-cutting features for microbial influences across multiple NDs and consider the potential for microbiome-targeted interventions for NDs.

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  • Gut micro-organisms are crucial for nervous system functions such as myelination, neurogenesis, microglial activation, and modulating cognition and behavior; gut micro-organisms are also increasingly implicated in modifying susceptibility to and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, including PD.

    “Gut micro-organisms are crucial for nervous system functions such as myelination, neurogenesis, microglial activation, and modulating cognition and behavior; gut micro-organisms are also increasingly implicated in modifying susceptibility to and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, including PD [90, 91].”

    From The gut–brain axis in early Parkinson’s disease: from prodrome to prevention (2025) · cites this paper as [90]

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  • Altering the gut microbiota in animal models alters immune function, metabolic activity, and ultimately lifespan by mechanisms associated with the aging process.

    “Fang et al. (25) found that altering the gut microbiota in animal models alters immune function, metabolic activity, and ultimately lifespan by mechanisms associated with the aging process, and that alterations to the gut microbiota may positively or negatively affect the neuropathology and clinical manifestations of disease.”
  • Autophagy breaks down invading pathogens, regulates pathogens, triggers the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and participates in antigen presentation and lymphocyte development.

    “In addition, autophagy in turn breaks down invading pathogens, regulates pathogens, triggers the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and participates in antigen presentation and lymphocyte development (25).”
  • In a study of six ALS patients, fecal microbiota exhibited reduced Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes in proportion to an increase in the abundance of Dorea and a concomitant decrease in the abundance of Oscillibacter, Anaerostipes, and Lachnospiraceae.

    “In a study of six ALS patients by Fang et al. (25), the fecal microbiota of ALS patients was noted to exhibit reduced Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes in proportion to an increase in the abundance of Dorea and a concomitant decrease in the abundance of Oscillibacter, Anaerostipes, and Lachnospiraceae.”
  • Neuroinflammation is associated with the progression of ALS, and the microbiota, as a modifier of neurodegenerative disease risk, is closely associated with the inflammatory immune response.

    “Several studies have shown that neuroinflammation is associated with the progression of ALS and that the microbiota, as a modifier of neurodegenerative disease risk (25), is closely associated with the inflammatory immune response.”

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Authors
Fang, P., Kazmi, S. A., Jameson, K. G., & Hsiao, E. Y.
Affiliations
University of California, Los Angeles (US)
Corresponding author
Fang, P.
Venue
Cell Host & Microbe
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2020-08
Volume
28
Issue
2
Pages
201-222
ISSN
1931-3128 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3048918321
Cited by
226
References
165
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 33 · 2024: 61 · 2023: 45 · 2022: 41 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 3 · 2017: 1
FWCI
2.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cell Host & Microbe (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • New York Stem Cell Foundation
  • Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
  • David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Neurology › Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
Keywords
gut microbiota, neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, aging, microbiota-targeted interventions, host-microbe interactions, neuroinflammation, metabolic mechanisms, disease susceptibility
MeSH terms
Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Aging, Alzheimer Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Animals, Central Nervous System, Disease Models, Animal, Humans, Huntington Disease, Parkinson Disease, Peripheral Nervous System, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Mice, Cognitive Dysfunction

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