Update on the theory of intestinal origin of Parkinson′s disease

Parkinson′s disease (PD) is a progressive degenerative disease of the central nervous system, which is characterized by the aggregation of alpha-synuclein. Accumulating evidence suggests that PD may arise in the gut. Aggregation of alpha-synuclein was found in the enteric nervous system of patients with prodromal stage of PD, alpha-synuclein might spread from the enteric nervous system to the central nervous system through vagus nerve based on animal model. The increased permeability and oxidative stress of gut may also be associated with the aggregation of alpha-synuclein and its propagation from gut to the central nerve system. Key words: Parkinson disease; Vagus nerve; alpha-Synuclein; Gut flora