The Bidirectional Gut-Microbiota-Brain Axis in Parkinson’s disease: integrating mechanistic biomarkers of disease severity and progression

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT This Administrative Supplement Request to U01 DK140923 at Rush University Medical Center (RUMC) / Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) will significantly enhance the Gut Brain Parkinson's Disease Consortium (GBPDC) by integrating additional crucial gastrointestinal and neurological assessments. Specifically, we propose to add a videofluoroscopic swallowing study, anorectal manometry/ balloon expulsion, intestinal transit time, advanced microbiota metabolomics, and skin biopsies outcomes / readouts that are consistent with the Consortium Master Protocol. These added assessments were approved by the U01 Steering Committee, but not included nor budgeted in our original funded grant. Our center was selected by the Steering Committee to take on the added responsibility to analyze samples from an additional 200 subjects from the other participation centers within the GBPDC consortium. These studies focus on the microbiome (including culturomics), intestinal barrier integrity, and we have the expertise to do this work on behalf of the UO1 group. These additional data will significantly amplify the consortium's ability to identify novel gut -based biomarkers, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic targets for Parkinson's Disease, accelerating our understanding of the Gut-Microbiota-Brain Axis's role in Parkinson’s Disease pathogenesis and progression, and fostering inter-project collaboration.