The Gut Microbiome and How ADHD and Parkinson’s Disease May Be Linked

Authors

April McCoy, California State University, Monterey BayFollow
Maria Bellumori, California State University, Monterey BayFollow

Abstract

There is growing interest in the gut microbiome and its effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Good bacteria in the gut play a role in neurotransmitter synthesis and regulation, which contributes to CNS control. Excess harmful bacteria may lead to leaky gut syndrome and neuroinflammation. Dysbiosis refers to a negative imbalance of the two types of bacteria and is associated with disease and decreased dopamine synthesis. Decreased dopamine, a neurotransmitter, plays a pivotal role in the manifestation of symptoms associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous studies have demonstrated a correlation between the gut microbiome and PD, particularly with the discovery that constipation is a common symptom in the early stages of PD. It is common for people with PD to have an increased amount of harmful bacteria. ADHD has been correlated with neuroinflammation and shares many similarities with PD including an increase harmful gut bacteria and disruptions in dopamine synthesis and uptake in the brain. PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper was to investigate the potential link between ADHD and Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: A review of five articles was conducted for this project. RESULTS: Supporting our hypothesis, results from this literature review demonstrate a potential link between ADHD and PD due to disruptions in dopamine synthesis. Additionally, probiotic supplementation has been shown to decrease symptoms in those with ADHD and is hypothesized to alleviate symptoms of PD. Probiotic supplementation is also hypothesized to protect the CNS and prevent neurological disorders. CONCLUSION: Given that ADHD typically manifests early in life while PD occurs later, identifying a connection could open avenues for early intervention. By implementing probiotics and other non-pharmaceutical options during childhood, it may be possible to impact the development of PD. Utilization of probiotics may serve as an inexpensive and non-invasive intervention to protect against the development of neurological disorders and warrants further research.

Recommended Citation

McCoy, April and Bellumori, Maria (2024) "The Gut Microbiome and How ADHD and Parkinson’s Disease May Be Linked," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 4, Article 99.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss4/99