November 16, 2025

@michaelokun

Constipation may spark a neuroinflammatory fire in the brain in early Parkinson’s. Neuroinflammation refers to activation of immune cells inside the brain that can damage or stress neurons. Marta Camacho and colleagues describe in a new paper in Movement Disorders that constipation in early Parkinson’s appears linked to widespread neuroinflammation. Key Points: - Higher constipation scores were linked to higher 11C-PK11195 PET binding across wide areas of the brain, signaling the possibility of increased microglial activation. Microglia are cells that go to work in the brain when there is inflammation. - Constipation severity correlated w/ elevated peripheral Th1 and Th17-like immune cells and also w/ higher CSF lymphocyte counts. - Incomplete evacuation was the constipation feature showing the strongest association w/ the neuroinflammation. My take: Constipation is real in Parkinson’s and can be one of its early symptoms. The links to brain inflammation are fascinating. Here are 5 points that resonated w/ me: 1-Constipation may be more than a nuisance in Parkinson’s and it may offer a clue to early brain inflammation. 2- Gut issues can reflect immune system activation and this may may spill over into the brain. 3- Paying attention to bowel habits may be important to guide conversations w/ health care providers about whole-body wellness. 4- Strategies that support gut health may play a role in promoting long-term brain health. 5- Early recognition and treatment of constipation should be recognized as important to navigating Parkinson’s. https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mds.70102 #michaelokun #parkinson #fixelinstitute