Fecal microbiota transplantation to treat Parkinson's disease with constipation: A case report

Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Jun;98(26):e16163. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000016163.

Abstract

Rationale: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is recognized as an emerging treatment through reconstruction of gut microbiota. Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, which is accompanied by constipation. Here we first reported a patient with Parkinson's disease and constipation that were obviously relieved after FMT.

Patient concerns: A 71-year-old male patient presented with 7 years of resting tremor, bradykinesia (first inflicted the upper limbs and subsequently spread to lower limbs), and intractable constipation (defecation needing more than 30 minutes).

Diagnoses: Parkinson's disease for 7 years; constipation >3 years.

Interventions: The patient had used madopar, pramipexole, and amantadine for anti-Parkinson and showed partially mitigation while laxative therapy for constipation failed. Finally FMT was performed.

Outcomes: The patient successfully defecated within 5 minutes and maintained daily unobstructed defecation until the end of follow-up. The patient's tremor in legs almost disappeared at 1 week after FMT but recurred in the right lower extremity at 2 months after FMT.

Lessons: Gut microbiota reconstruction may have therapeutic effects for Parkinson's disease patients, especially those who have gastrointestinal symptoms and limited treatment choices.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Constipation / complications*
  • Constipation / therapy*
  • Fecal Microbiota Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parkinson Disease / complications*
  • Parkinson Disease / therapy*