Microbial modulation of Parkinson’s disease: Role of Proteus mirabilis in Neuronal damage and cognitive dysfunction

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases. It is characterized by motor dysfunction. Alongside motor symptoms, non-motor symptoms such as cognitive impairment, sleep disturbances, and autonomic dysfunction are also common. Gut microbes are emerging as critical players in the development of Parkinson’s disease. This study aims to investigate the role of gut microbes in the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease. Proteus mirabilis, a common gut bacterium, has been found to be significantly altered in Parkinson’s patients compared to healthy controls. This study investigates the impact of Proteus mirabilis on the survival of striatal dopaminergic neurons, its effects on dendritic arborization in a rotenone-induced PD model and a bacteria-induced group, using Golgi-stained brain sections and Neurolucida microscopic imaging. Additionally, a cognitive experiment was performed to assess the impact on motor symptoms. The results show a significant correlation between gut microbes and the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, highlighting the potential of gut microbes in the pathogenesis of disease. The findings from this study elucidate the mechanistic link between gut dysbiosis and PD that could potentially lead to the development of microbiome-based interventions. By elucidating, the research paves the way for innovative microbiome-based therapeutic approaches for Parkinson’s disease.