Understanding how gut health affects brain function in Parkinson's disease
Official title: A Consortium for Gut-Brain Communication in Parkinson's Disease
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10987474 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how gut health affects brain function in people with Parkinson's disease, and it's for anyone with Parkinson's, whether they have tummy issues or not, as well as healthy individuals to help us learn more about this connection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $399,174 |
| NIH project number | 1U01DK140933-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10987474 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, regardless of whether they experience gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as age and sex-matched healthy controls.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with Parkinson's disease who are not willing or able to participate in detailed assessments or imaging studies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between gut health and brain function in individuals with Parkinson's disease. It involves collecting data from patients with varying stages of Parkinson's, including those with and without gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as healthy controls. Participants will undergo detailed assessments of their Parkinson's symptoms and gastrointestinal function, and some will participate in brain imaging studies to explore how meals affect gut-brain communication. The goal is to better understand how gut motility and brain function are related in Parkinson's disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments and management strategies for patients with Parkinson's disease by addressing gut-related symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding gut-brain interactions in other neurological conditions, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuo, Braden — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Kuo, Braden
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Gut-brain clues in Parkinson’s disease: supplement to a large registry
A plant-wide supplement to an NIH program will enroll people with Parkinson’s, with and without GI symptoms, plus healthy controls, to study how gut function, brain signals, and sleep rhythms relate to Parkinson’s symptoms.
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Gut-brain connections in Parkinson’s disease: how the gut and environment shape symptoms
A Mayo Clinic team is studying how gut problems, environmental factors, and genetics together influence Parkinson’s disease and its GI symptoms to find biomarkers and better understanding of the disease.
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Gut-brain communication in Parkinson’s disease for better symptoms and daily life
This project enrolls people with Parkinson’s disease and healthy controls to build a big registry and study how gut function, brain signals, sleep, and circadian rhythms relate to PD symptoms.
-
Gut microbiome and Parkinson's disease: how gut bugs relate to symptoms and progression
A multi-year study will look at gut bacteria and related markers in people with Parkinson’s disease to understand how the gut-brain connection may influence symptoms and progression.
-
Gut-Brain Axis in Parkinson’s Disease: biomarkers and procedures to track progression
A patient-focused program to study how gut health and the brain interact in Parkinson’s disease using biomarkers and clinical procedures.
-
Understanding posture and movement in Parkinson’s patients to reduce falls
A study using wearable sensors to track real-world balance and movement in people with Parkinson’s disease to help prevent falls.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.