January 16, 2026

@michaelokun

Does Parkinson’s disease affect the colon? YEP. PARK2 and LRRK2 genes may provide important clues on links. What does colorectal mean? Colorectal refers to the colon and rectum which are parts of the large intestine involved in digestion and waste removal. Khan and colleagues describe in a new paper in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease how Parkinson’s disease may influence colorectal health including colorectal cancer risk through shared genetics, gut inflammation and the gut-brain axis. Key Points: - Parkinson’s disease is linked to gastrointestinal dysfunction and changes in the gut microbiome that may influence colorectal health. - Studies show mixed results with some suggesting lower colorectal cancer risk in Parkinson’s disease and others showing higher or neutral risk depending on genetics, geography and environment. - Shared pathways including alpha synuclein, inflammation and genes like PARK2 and LRRK2 may help explain these differences. My take: This review reinforces that Parkinson’s is a whole body disease. The gut is not a bystander, it is an active participant. Understanding who is at risk is really important. We will need to focus on how we can help health care providers to screen smarter and to intervene earlier. Here are 5 points that resonated w/ me: 1- Parkinson’s disease frequently affects the gut years before motor symptoms appear. 2- Genetics can cut both ways with some variants increasing colorectal cancer risk and others appearing potentially protective. 3- Gut inflammation, microbiome changes and constipation may matter more than we previously appreciated. 4- Geography and environment seem to influence risk which reminds us that one size will not fit all. 5- Targeting the gut brain axis w/ diet lifestyle and future therapies has the potential to benefit folks living w/ Parkinson’s. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1877718X251380261 #michaelokun #fixelinstitute #parkinson